Potential role of purinergic signalling in cochlear pathology.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a major intercellular signalling molecule that is involved in neurotransmission in the central and autonomic nervous systems, regulation of blood flow, and neuroendocrine function. It is also a key signalling molecule involved in normal cochlear homoeostasis, regulating hearing sensitivity, controlling vascular tone and acting as a candidate neurotransmitter at the hair cell afferent synapses. It has also been established that extracellular ATP mediates some pathological processes such as inflammation, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Evidence for a profound influence of extracellular ATP on normal cochlear function offers the tantalizing possibility that extracellular purine nucleotides may play a role in disease processes in the inner ear. This review draws on the current understanding of the pathophysiological role of extracellular ATP in tissues, and the evidence for the functional expression of purinergic signalling elements in the inner ear, to speculate on the potential role of purine nucleotides in cochlear pathology.
Thorne
Peter R
PR
Discipline of Audiology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. pr.thorne@auckland.ac.nz
Munoz
David J B
DJ
Nikolic
Pedrag
P
Mander
Lloyd
L
Jagger
Daniel J
DJ
Greenwood
Denise
D
Vlajkovic
Srdjan
S
Housley
Gary D
GD
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011685:Purine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000378:metabolism; D058476:Receptors, Purinergic P2X2; D058473:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D011685:Purine Nucleotides; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D058476:Receptors, Purinergic P2X2; D058473:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate