The 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT 1A receptor was one of the ®rst G protein coupled receptors whose cDNA and gene were isolated by molecular cloning methods. Transfection of the cDNA of this receptor into cells previously bearing no 5-HT receptors has resulted in the acquisition of large amounts of information regarding potential signal transduction pathways linked to the receptor, correlations of receptor structure to its various functions, and pharmacological properties of the receptor. Transfection studies with the 5-HT 1A receptor have generated critical new information that might otherwise have been elusive. This information notably includes the discovery of unsuspected novel signalling linkages, the elucidation of the mechanisms of receptor desensitization, the re®nement of models of the receptor pharmacophore, and the development of silent receptor antagonists, among others. The current review summarizes the most important studies of the recombinant 5-HT 1A receptor in the decade since the identi®ciation of its cDNA. Keywords: 5-Hydroxytryptamine; transfection; G protein; adenylyl cyclase; phospholipase; calcium; ecacy; potency Abbreviations: cyclic AMP, 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate; CFTR, cystic ®brosis transmembrane regulator; DAG, diacylglycerol; Erk, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; G protein, guanine nucleotide regulatory binding protein; G i , G protein that inhibits adenylyl cyclase; GIRK, G protein-gated inwardly recti®ed K + channel; G o , G protein that serves functions other than to regulate adenylyl cyclase; G q , G protein that activates phospholipase C; Grb2, protein that serves as a molecular adapter; GRK, G protein-coupled receptor kinase; GTP, guanosine triphosphate; GTPgS, nonhydrolysable GTP analogue; G S , G protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase; 8-OH-DPAT, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin; 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine; serotonin; i2 loop, putative second intracellular loop of the 5-HT 1A receptor protein; i3 loop, putative third intracellular loop of the 5-HT 1A receptor protein; IkBa, inhibitor of NF-kB; IP 3 , inositol triphosphate; Mek, mitogen and extracellular signal regulated kinase, which phosphorylates and activates Erk; NF-kB, nuclear factor-kB; PC-PLC, phosphatidylcholine-speci®c phospholipase C; PI-PLC, phosphatidylinositol-speci®c phospholipase C; PKA, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; PKC, protein kinase C; PLA 2 , phospholipase A 2 ; PLC, phospholipase C; Raf; a kinase that is activated by Ras, and that phosphorylates and activates MEK; Ras, a monomeric low molecular weight G protein that activates Raf; RGS proteins, regulators of G protein signalling; ROI, reactive oxygen intermediates; R-SAT, receptor selection and ampli®cation technology; Shc, a protein that serves as a docking platform; Src, non-receptor tyrosine kinase; WAY-100635, N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)1-piperazinyl]ethyl)-n-(2-pyridiynl)cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride