Related Experiment Videos
P2 receptor modulation and cytotoxic function in cultured CNS neurons
S Amadio1, N D'Ambrosi, F Cavaliere
1Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 354, 00179, Rome, Italy.
Neuropharmacology
|April 17, 2002
Summary
Extracellular ATP and P2 receptors are present and change with neuronal maturation. Extracellular ATP mediates cell death in mature neurons, suggesting a role in neurodegenerative events.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- P2 receptors and extracellular ATP play roles in neuronal function.
- Neuronal maturation influences receptor expression and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate P2 receptor presence, modulation, and function in cerebellar granule neurons.
- Determine the role of extracellular ATP in neuronal cell death.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR and Western blotting to detect P2 receptor subtypes.
- Cell culture models (granule neurons, striatal cells, hippocampal cultures) to study ATP-induced cell death.
- Pharmacological manipulation with agonists and antagonists.
Main Results:
- Both P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes are expressed and regulated during neuronal maturation.
- Extracellular ATP induces apoptotic and necrotic cell death in mature neurons.
- NMDA receptor antagonists inhibit ATP-induced neurotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular ATP acts as a cell death mediator in mature neurons.
- P2 receptor expression changes with neuronal development.
- Extracellular ATP may contribute to central nervous system neurodegenerative events.