Neuronal ATP receptors and their mechanism of action.
ATP stores and supplies energy in neurons, but it also acts as a transmitter molecule. ATP activates a class of membrane receptors termed P2 purinoceptors. Based on the potencies of structural analogues of ATP, P2 purinoceptors in non-neuronal tissues were classified by classic pharmacological methods into two subtypes, P2x and P2y. Peter Illes and Wolfgang Nörenberg report that electrophysiological investigations indicate the presence of P2y-like purinoceptors on neurons. They describe two alternative ionic transduction mechanisms that may be activated by this receptor family.
Illes
P
P
Department of Pharmacology, University of Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Nörenberg
W
W
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D011983:Receptors, Purinergic