title: Purines and sensory nerves.
abstract: P2X and P2Y nucleotide receptors are described on sensory neurons and their peripheral and central terminals in dorsal root, nodose, trigeminal, petrosal, retinal and enteric ganglia. Peripheral terminals are activated by ATP released from local cells by mechanical deformation, hypoxia or various local agents in the carotid body, lung, gut, bladder, inner ear, eye, nasal organ, taste buds, skin, muscle and joints mediating reflex responses and nociception. Purinergic receptors on fibres in the dorsal spinal cord and brain stem are involved in reflex control of visceral and cardiovascular activity, as well as relaying nociceptive impulses to pain centres. Purinergic mechanisms are enhanced in inflammatory conditions and may be involved in migraine, pain, diseases of the special senses, bladder and gut, and the possibility that they are also implicated in arthritis, respiratory disorders and some central nervous system disorders is discussed. Finally, the development and evolution of purinergic sensory mechanisms are considered.
authors: Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK. g.burnstock@ucl.ac.uk
authors: Geoffrey
authors: G
authors: Burnstock
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017950:Ganglia, Sensory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000378:metabolism; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014781:Viscera / Q000294:innervation*
chemical_list: D011687:Purines; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D018048:Receptors, Purinergic P2; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000241:Adenosine