We chose the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y as a model, because it expresses more of the genes found in brain tissue than other readily available cells. Among these are dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), two serotonin receptors, three opioid receptors (OPRM1, OPRD1, OPRL1) several GABA(A) receptor subunits, three metabotropic glutamate receptors (GRM7, GRM2 & GRM8), subunits of AMPA, NMDA and kainate iontropic receptors, nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor subunits, and two adrenergic receptors (ADRA2A and ADRA2C).
