Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
hSERT Expression is Altered in Response to the β-Lactam Antibiotic Ampicillin
hSERT Expression is Altered in Response to the β-Lactam Antibiotic Ampicillin
Jordan Goldstein (Sophomore, Biology); Sabrina Gerstein (Sophomore, Biology); Cassidy Terrill (Sophomore, Biology); Morgan Durr (Sophomore, Neuroscience); Melanie Mercedes (Sophomore, Biochemistry)
Jordan Goldstein (Sophomore, Biology); Sabrina Gerstein (Sophomore, Biology); Cassidy Terrill (Sophomore, Biology); Morgan Durr (Sophomore, Neuroscience); Melanie Mercedes (Sophomore, Biochemistry)
Mentors: Susan Flynn, Chemistry, FRI
Mentors: Susan Flynn, Chemistry, FRI
Abstract
Antibiotics are widely prescribed to treat bacterial infections, but minimal research has been conducted to determine their impact on the serotonergic system. The serotonin transporter protein (hSERT) regulates serotonin concentrations in the presynaptic terminal in neurons. Alterations in hSERT expression can lead to underproduction or overproduction of serotonin, which is linked to numerous neuropsychiatric disorders [1,2]. In this study, HEK293T cell were treated with Ampicillin to measure the expression of hSERT. The expression was monitored through fluorescence of the GFP-hSERT fusion protein. This would provide insight with treatments involving bacterial infections and neuropsychiatric disorders. In the future, the effects of SSRI’s and SNRI’s, commonly prescribed antidepressants, on the serotonin transporter could be monitored.
Abstract
Antibiotics are widely prescribed to treat bacterial infections, but minimal research has been conducted to determine their impact on the serotonergic system. The serotonin transporter protein (hSERT) regulates serotonin concentrations in the presynaptic terminal in neurons. Alterations in hSERT expression can lead to underproduction or overproduction of serotonin, which is linked to numerous neuropsychiatric disorders [1,2]. In this study, HEK293T cell were treated with Ampicillin to measure the expression of hSERT. The expression was monitored through fluorescence of the GFP-hSERT fusion protein. This would provide insight with treatments involving bacterial infections and neuropsychiatric disorders. In the future, the effects of SSRI’s and SNRI’s, commonly prescribed antidepressants, on the serotonin transporter could be monitored.