Purinergic and pyrimidinergic receptors as potential drug targets.
In the last decade, the field of purinergic pharmacology has continued to grow as the complexity of the receptor families and the various enzymes involved in purine metabolism have been defined in molecular terms. A major theme that has emerged from these studies is the functional complexity of the interactions between P1 and P2 receptors, based upon the dynamic interrelationship between ATP and adenosine as extracellular signaling molecules. It is now clear that ATP and its degradation products (particularly ADP and adenosine) form a complex cascade for the regulation of cell-to-cell communication that can function to attenuate the consequences of tissue trauma (e.g. ischemia) that involve alterations in cellular energy charge and depletion of ATP stores. In addition to the P2 receptor family, alterations in cellular ATP stores can also affect the function of other receptors, e.g. K(ATP) channels, and mitochondrial function. The discovery of pyrimidine-preferring (UTP/UDP) P2Y receptors has also raised the possibility that the corresponding nucleoside, uracil, may function as a signaling molecule.
Williams
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M
Neurological and Urological Diseases Research, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL 60064-6125, USA. mike.williams@abbott.com
Jarvis
M F
MF
D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014544:Uridine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011687:Purines; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D014544:Uridine Triphosphate