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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Imaging of Intracellular ATP in Organotypic Tissue Slices of the Mouse Brain using the FRET-based Sensor ATeam1.03YEMK

Imaging of Intracellular ATP in Organotypic Tissue Slices of the Mouse Brain using the FRET-based Sensor ATeam1.03YEMK

Published on: December 19, 2019

ATP-mediated signalling in the central synapses.

Ulyana Lalo¹, Yuriy Pankratov¹

¹School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

Neuropharmacology

|February 25, 2023

Summary

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from neurons and astrocytes modulates central nervous system (CNS) neuronal firing and synaptic dynamics via P2 receptors. This purinergic signaling is crucial for synaptic homeostasis and plasticity in health and disease.

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Published on: January 31, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular signaling
Neuropharmacology

Background:

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released from synaptic terminals and astrocytes.
ATP activates neuronal P2 receptors throughout the central nervous system (CNS).
Postsynaptic ATP signaling contributes to modulating neuronal firing and synaptic dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the mechanisms of purinergic signaling in the CNS.
To discuss the role of purinergic modulation in synaptic transmission.
To highlight the importance of purinergic signaling in physiological and pathological contexts.

Main Methods:

Literature review of purinergic signaling mechanisms.
Analysis of the roles of neuronal P2X and P2Y receptors.
Examination of ATP release from various CNS cell types (neurons, astrocytes, microglia).

Main Results:

ATP-mediated signaling influences synaptic dynamics and neuronal firing.
P2 receptors activated by ATP play a role in synaptic homeostasis and plasticity.
Purinergic regulation is increasingly recognized in various physiological and pathological conditions.

Conclusions:

Purinergic signaling, mediated by ATP and P2 receptors, is complex and diverse.
This signaling pathway is instrumental in modulating neuronal activity in the CNS.
Understanding purinergic modulation is vital for comprehending brain function and dysfunction.