Uptake by central nervous tissues as a mechanism for the regulation of extracellular adenosine concentrations.
The various facets of the uptake of adenosine by central nervous tissues are described. The uptake process includes the transport of nucleoside across neuronal and glial plasma membranes and its metabolism within the cell. Much of the transported adenosine is phosphorylated into adenosine nucleotides. Inhibitors of adenosine uptake increase extracellular levels of adenosine and can thus potentiate its pharmacological actions. This may be an important component in the actions of various groups of psychoactive drugs.
Wu
P H
PH
Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, U.S.A.
Phillis
J W
JW