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Serotonin Receptors

Meaning

A diverse family of G-protein coupled receptors and one ligand-gated ion channel that bind to the neurotransmitter serotonin ($5$-hydroxytryptamine or $5$-HT) and are widely distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the gastrointestinal tract. These receptors mediate the vast array of physiological functions of serotonin, including mood, appetite, sleep, and thermoregulation. Their seven distinct families ($text{5-HT}_{text{1}}$ to $text{5-HT}_{text{7}}$) and multiple subtypes make them crucial targets for numerous psychotropic and gastrointestinal medications.