Study of the specific interactions between neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline) and their specific receptors in the presence and absence of drugs with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitory action (SSRI)

• Grant number: 24/09973-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Paola Corio
• Grantee: Daniele Cristina Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/11983-4 - Spectroscopy signal enhancement: nanomaterials, theory, and computer simulation, AP.TEM

Abstract

Serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline are biochemical messengers and regulators that have numerous critical biological functions, which involve the control of brain activity and neurotransmission. Some endogenous compounds and drugs bind to receptors for such neurotransmitters and activate them. Many serotonin receptor agonists are used as antidepressants and anxiolytics. Some psychotic agents are D2 receptor antagonists, whose main side effect is to cause movement disorders. The main objective of this proposal is to study the binding profile of the target receptor to therapeutic compounds of interest through spectroscopic techniques, Raman, SERS, UV-VIS and SPR (surface plasmon resonance). We will thus seek to investigate chemical aspects of the antidepressant effects of neurotransmitter receptor agonists, such as the well-known sertraline, which has two chiral centers. One possibility would be to investigate the effect of chirality (4 chiral isomers) on the biochemical effects of each drug, since the vast majority of them present optical activity. Furthermore, we will seek to investigate how compounds based on tryptamine, ergoline or phenethylamine (substances with known psychotropic effects) interact with each neurotransmitter.