Primitive ATP-activated P2X receptors: discovery, function and pharmacology

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Cellular signaling
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is a ubiquitous molecule in biology.
• ATP functions as a transmitter molecule, signaling through ligand-receptor interactions.
• P2X receptors are ligand-gated ion channels mediating rapid responses to ATP in various mammalian cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolutionary biology of P2X receptors and ATP signaling.
• To discuss the implications of P2X receptor studies in simple organisms for higher animals and plants.
• To explore how simple organisms can inform P2X receptor function.

Main Methods:

• Molecular cloning of P2X receptors.
• Analysis of P2X receptor structure-function relationships.
• Comparative genomics across diverse species including protists, early animals, and pathogens.

Main Results:

• P2X receptors have been identified and characterized in various simple organisms.
• Surprising new cellular roles for P2X receptors have been uncovered.
• An unusual evolutionary phylogeny for P2X receptors was observed, with some organisms lacking them.

Conclusions:

• The study of P2X receptors in simple organisms provides valuable insights into their function.
• ATP signaling and P2X receptor evolution exhibit diverse patterns across the tree of life.
• Experimental exploitation of simple organisms can enhance understanding of P2X receptor biology in a broader context.