Serotonin (5-HT) - Early Papers

[Synchronium]

I thought I'd add a handful of oldschool papers on serotonin (5-HT) to the file archive:

Rapport MM, Green AA, Page IH. Crystalline Serotonin. Science. 1948 Sep 24;108(2804):329-330

[This paper details the isolation of serotonin (5-HT) from bovine serum.]

Rapport MM, Green AA, Page IH. Serum vasoconstrictor, serotonin; chemical inactivation. J Biol Chem. 1948 Dec;176(3):1237-41

In order to determine which reagents were most suitable for abolishing the vasoconstrictor activity of serum, the inactivation of a beef serum vasoconstrictor (serotonin) concentrate by chemical reagents was studied. Certain oxidizing and halogenating agents, especially potassium persulfate, potassium permanganate, and iodine, were found to be effective at high dilution. By comparing the quantity of iodine required for inactivation of the concentrate and pure serotonin, evidence was obtained favoring the view that serotonin is solely responsible for the vasoconstrictor activity of serum.

Rapport MM, Green AA, Page IH. Serum vasoconstrictor, serotonin; isolation and characterization. J Biol Chem. 1948 Dec;176(3):1243-51

Details of the method of isolating crystalline beef serum vasoconstrictor (serotonin) from a purified concentrate are presented. The color reactions and ultraviolet absorption spectrum indicate the presence of an indole nucleus in the structure. The structural implications of evidence based on color reactions and potentiometric titration are discussed.

Rapport MM. Serum vasoconstrictor, serotonin; the presence of creatinine in the complex; a proposed structure of the vasoconstrictor principle. J Biol Chem. 1949 Oct;180(3):961-9

The crystalline vasoconstrictor substance isolated from beef serum has been shown to be a complex composed of equimolar parts of creatinine, sulfuric acid, and an indole derivative. The latter was converted into its picrate, analysis of which confirmed the empirical formula C10H1402N2 obtained by deducting creatinine (C4H21O3N5) from the formula of the complex (C14H21O3N5). Evidence based on color reactions and ultraviolet absorption spectra indicates the presence of a 5-hydroxyindole nucleus in the structure. The constitutional formula of 5-hydroxytryptamine (C10H12ON2) has been tentatively proposed for this active principle. A recommendation has been made to reserve the name serotonin for this indole amine rather than the previously isolated complex. The basis for a simple specific method to determine serotonin by ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry has been suggested.

They make for some interesting reading!

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great additions to the archive, keep it coming!