title: Signalling properties of inorganic polyphosphate in the mammalian brain.
abstract: Inorganic polyphosphate is known to be present in the mammalian brain at micromolar concentrations. Here we show that polyphosphate may act as a gliotransmitter, mediating communication between astrocytes. It is released by astrocytes in a calcium-dependent manner and signals to neighbouring astrocytes through P2Y(1) purinergic receptors, activation of phospholipase C and release of calcium from the intracellular stores. In primary neuroglial cultures, application of polyP triggers release of endogenous polyphosphate from astrocytes while neurons take it up. In vivo, central actions of polyphosphate at the level of the brainstem include profound increases in key homeostatic physiological activities, such as breathing, central sympathetic outflow and the arterial blood pressure. Together, these results suggest a role for polyphosphate as a mediator of astroglial signal transmission in the mammalian brain.
authors: Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
authors: Kira M
authors: KM
authors: Holmström
authors: Nephtali
authors: N
authors: Marina
authors: Artyom Y
authors: AY
authors: Baev
authors: Nicholas W
authors: NW
authors: Wood
authors: Alexander V
authors: AV
authors: Gourine
authors: Andrey Y
authors: AY
authors: Abramov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism*; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D058472:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011122:Polyphosphates; D058472:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1; D002118:Calcium