Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.3

Title: An evolutionary history of P2X receptors.

Authors: Fountain, Burnstock

Journal, date & volume: Purinergic Signal., 2008 Nov 18 , ,

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19015952

Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an ancient and fundamentally important biological molecule involved in both intracellular and extracellular activities. P2X ionotropic and P2Y metabotropic receptors have been cloned and characterised in mammals. ATP plays a central physiological role as a transmitter molecule in processes including the sensation of pain, taste, breathing and inflammation via the activation of P2X receptors. P2X receptors are structurally distinct from glutamate and Cys-loop/nicotinic receptors and form the third major class of ligand-gated ion channel. Yet, despite the importance of P2X receptors, both as physiological mediators and therapeutic targets, the evolutionary origins and phylogenicity of ATP signalling via P2X receptors remain unclear.