Résumé
In 1988, we found in mouse colliculi neurons grown in primary cultures, a 5-HT receptor which stimulated cAMP production and had a pharmacology different from that of the receptors described at that time, i.e., the 5-HT1, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptors. In particular, highly potent and specific 5-HT1,2,3 antagonists were unable to block this receptor. We therefore proposed to name it, without any permission, the 5-HT4 receptor.1 Fortunately, based on their pharmacology, transduction mechanisms, physiology and finally, cloning, it became rapidly evident that this proposition was correct. The 5-HT4 receptor is the only member of its class because it shows little amino acid sequence relationship to all other serotonin receptors, including those positively coupled to the adenylyl cyclase (AC) (the 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors).2–6