The purinergic nerve hypothesis

Experiments over the past decade have revealed a third component in the autonomic nervous system which is neither adrenergic nor cholinergic. These nerves are strongly represented in the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of vertebrate species and have also been identified in lung, trachea, retractor penis, bladder, oesophagus, eye, seminal vesicle and in some parts of the cardiovascular system and brain. Evidence has been presented that the principal active substance released by these nerves in the gut is a purine nucleotide, probably ATP, and they have therefore been termed 'purinergic'. The evidence includes: (1) synthesis and storage of ATP in nerves; (2) release of ATP from the nerves when they are stimulated; (3) mimicry by exogenously applied ATP of the action of nerve-released transmitter; (4) the presence of Mg2+-activated ATPase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase, enzymes which inactivate ATP; (5) the similar blocking and potentiating effects produced by drugs on the responses to exogenously applied ATP and nerve stimulation. A tentative model for the synthesis, storage, release and inactivation of ATP during purinergic nerve transmission is proposed. Some properties of purinergic receptors are described.