Cover Feature: Altered Membrane Mechanics Provides a Receptor-Independent Pathway for Serotonin Action (Chem. Eur. J. 27/2021)

Serotonin is an important signaling molecule with a high lipid membrane affinity. Membrane binding of serotonin modulates membrane properties and potentially cellular function as well, providing an activity pathway completely independent of serotonin receptors. The results presented in this study suggest a mode of serotonin–membrane interaction that can potentiate key cellular processes in a receptor-independent fashion. More information can be found in the Full Paper by D. Huster, S. Maiti, et al. (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100328).