Short- and long-term (trophic) purinergic signalling

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Purinergic signaling, mediated by extracellular nucleotides like ATP, plays critical roles in cellular communication.
• Distinguishing between rapid (fast) and sustained (long-term/trophic) purinergic signaling can be challenging.
• ATP can act as a rapid trigger for delayed, long-term physiological events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the diverse roles of purinergic signaling in both rapid and long-term physiological processes.
• To highlight the involvement of purinergic signaling in development, regeneration, and disease.
• To explore the contribution of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) to purinergic signaling effects.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on purinergic signaling.
• Description of examples of short-term purinergic signaling in neurotransmission and neuromodulation.
• Description of examples of long-term trophic purinergic signaling in various biological systems.

Main Results:

• Short-term purinergic signaling is integral to neurotransmission, neuromodulation, and secretion.
• Long-term trophic purinergic signaling influences cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and death.
• Examples span from nervous system function to immune responses, tissue development, and cancer.

Conclusions:

• Purinergic signaling, encompassing both rapid and trophic effects, is fundamental to numerous physiological processes.
• The activation of P2X and P2Y purinoceptors, leading to increased intracellular Ca2+, is likely a key mechanism underlying these effects.
• Understanding purinergic signaling is vital for comprehending development, regeneration, and disease pathogenesis.