Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Real-time Live-cell Flow Cytometry to Investigate Calcium Influx, Pore Formation, and Phagocytosis by P2X7 Receptors in Adult Neural Progenitor Cells
11:47

Real-time Live-cell Flow Cytometry to Investigate Calcium Influx, Pore Formation, and Phagocytosis by P2X7 Receptors in Adult Neural Progenitor Cells

Published on: April 3, 2019

9.6K

The P2X7 Receptor: Central Hub of Brain Diseases

Roberta Andrejew1, Ágatha Oliveira-Giacomelli1, Deidiane Elisa Ribeiro1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|August 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The P2X7 receptor, activated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), plays a role in brain diseases. Targeting this receptor shows promise for treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated cation channel implicated in cell death and ATP release.
  • It is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in regions affected by neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
  • While its role in glial cells is known, its function in neurons remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of P2X7 receptor signaling in CNS diseases.
  • To discuss the involvement of P2X7 receptors in neuroinflammation, glutamate release, and neuroplasticity.
  • To highlight P2X7 receptor antagonists for potential therapeutic applications in brain diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of P2X7 receptor functions in the CNS.
  • Analysis of P2X7 receptor involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and brain tumors.
  • Examination of P2X7 receptor gene polymorphisms and disease associations.

Main Results:

  • P2X7 receptors mediate neuroinflammatory responses, glutamate release, and neuroplasticity impairment.
  • P2X7 receptor gene variations are linked to depression.
  • Isoforms of P2X7 receptors are implicated in neuropsychiatric diseases.

Conclusions:

  • The P2X7 receptor is a potential therapeutic target for various brain diseases.
  • Development of CNS-penetrant P2X7 receptor antagonists is advancing.
  • Further research into P2X7 receptor's neuronal roles is warranted.
Keywords:
P2X7 receptorP2X7 receptor antagonistsbrain diseasesbrain tumorneurodegenerative diseasespsychiatric disorders

More Related Videos

Proteomics to Identify Proteins Interacting with P2X2 Ligand-Gated Cation Channels16:36

Proteomics to Identify Proteins Interacting with P2X2 Ligand-Gated Cation Channels

Published on: May 18, 2009

15.1K
Author Spotlight: Insights and Innovations in Gene Expression Manipulation Techniques for Choroid Plexus Research04:43

Author Spotlight: Insights and Innovations in Gene Expression Manipulation Techniques for Choroid Plexus Research

Published on: June 16, 2023

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
3.5K
Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
42.6K
Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)01:32

Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)

Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
4.4K
Disorders of the Nervous Tissue01:28

Disorders of the Nervous Tissue

Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
2.3K
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
3.3K
EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research01:21

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
3.2K