title: P2 receptor-mediated modulation of neurotransmitter release-an update.
abstract: Presynaptic nerve terminals are equipped with a number of presynaptic auto- and heteroreceptors, including ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors. P2 receptors serve as modulation sites of transmitter release by ATP and other nucleotides released by neuronal activity and pathological signals. A wide variety of P2X and P2Y receptors expressed at pre- and postsynaptic sites as well as in glial cells are involved directly or indirectly in the modulation of neurotransmitter release. Nucleotides are released from synaptic and nonsynaptic sites throughout the nervous system and might reach concentrations high enough to activate these receptors. By providing a fine-tuning mechanism these receptors also offer attractive sites for pharmacotherapy in nervous system diseases. Here we review the rapidly emerging data on the modulation of transmitter release by facilitatory and inhibitory P2 receptors and the receptor subtypes involved in these interactions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, POB 67, Budapest, 1450, Hungary, sperlagh@koki.hu.
authors.forename: Beáta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sperlágh
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Csölle