ATP mediates fast synaptic transmission in mammalian neurons.
In addition to its diverse functions inside cells, ATP can act at several types of cell-surface receptor. One of these (P2X-purinoceptor) is believed to be a ligand-gated cation channel. The presence of P2X receptors on autonomic, sensory and central neurons suggests that ATP might be released to act as a fast excitatory synaptic transmitter. Here we record excitatory synaptic potentials and currents from cultured coeliac ganglion neurons which are mimicked by ATP, blocked by the P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin, desensitized by alpha,beta-methylene-ATP and unaffected by antagonists acting at nicotine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), non-NMDA glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline or adenosine receptors. We conclude that ATP is the neurotransmitter at this neuroneuronal synapse.
Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
R J
RJ
Evans
V
V
Derkach
A
A
Surprenant
D000200:Action Potentials; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000502:physiology; D013498:Suramin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D013498:Suramin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate