title: Nucleotides in the eye: focus on functional aspects and therapeutic perspectives.
abstract: The presence and activity of nucleotides and dinucleotides in the physiology of most, if not all, organisms, from bacteria to humans, have been recognized by the scientific community, and the eye is no exception. Nucleotides in the dynamic fluids interact with many ocular structures, such as the tears and aqueous humor. Moreover, high concentrations of nucleotides in these secretions may reflect disease states such as dry eye and glaucoma. Apart from the nucleotide concentration in these fluids, P2 purinergic receptors have been described on the ocular surface (cornea and conjunctiva), anterior pole (ciliary body, trabecular meshwork), and posterior pole (retina). P2X and P2Y purinergic receptors are essential in maintaining the homeostasis of ocular processes, such as tear secretion, aqueous humor production, or retinal modulation. When they are functioning properly, they allow the eye to do its job (to see), but in some cases, a lack or an excess of nucleotides or a malfunction in the corresponding purinergic receptors leads to disease. This Perspective is focused on the nucleotides and dinucleotides and the P2 purinergic receptors in the eye and how they contribute to normal and disease states. We also emphasize the action of nucleotides and their receptors and antagonists as potential therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense Madrid, C/Arcos de Jalón 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guzman-Aranguez
authors.forename: Concepcion
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santano
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin-Gil
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pintor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005123:Eye / Q000276:immunology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D011684:Purine Nucleosides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011685:Purine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009711:Nucleotides; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011685:Purine Nucleotides