A reciprocal interplay between 5-HT2A and mGlu5 receptors underlies neuroplasticity

The serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptor is the primary target of numerous psychoactive drugs including serotonergic psychedelics, and mediates psychedelics-induced neuroplasticity, but the signaling mechanisms involved remain poorly characterized. Using quantitative phosphoproteomics, we show that the administration of the hallucinogenic 5-HT 2A receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) to mice promotes the phosphorylation of synaptic proteins belonging to a strongly interconnected protein network and comprising the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 5 receptor and the scaffolding protein Shank3. Functional studies revealed that hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic 5-HT 2A receptor agonists promote synaptic targeting of mGlu 5 receptor and its association with Shank3. Furthermore, they gate neuroplasticity in cortical neurons through a mechanism requiring mGlu 5 receptor, protein kinase C and Shank3. Conversely, neuroplasticity elicited by mGlu 5 receptor activation depends on 5-HT 2A receptor. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that neuroplasticity-promoting properties of psychedelics depend on a functional, reciprocal interplay between 5-HT 2A and mGlu 5 receptors involving the synaptic scaffolding protein Shank3.