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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Signalling via ATP in the nervous system

¹Biozentrum, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Trends in Neurosciences

|October 1, 1994

Summary

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a key neurotransmitter in smooth muscle, peripheral ganglia, and the brain. Molecular identification of ATP receptors confirms its role in neural signaling.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Pharmacology

Background:

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is increasingly recognized for its role beyond energy metabolism.
Evidence suggests ATP functions as a neurotransmitter in various nervous system tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize the evidence supporting ATP's function as a neural signaling substance.
To discuss the molecular identification of ATP receptors and their implications.
To examine the storage, release, hydrolysis, actions, and targets of ATP in neural signaling.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing research on ATP as a neurotransmitter.
Analysis of studies on ATP receptor cloning and characterization.
Examination of pharmacological data and physiological evidence.

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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 ATeam1.03^YEMK

Published on: December 19, 2019

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Last Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

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Published on: July 16, 2013

Two-photon Imaging of Microglial Processes' Attraction Toward ATP or Serotonin in Acute Brain Slices

Two-photon Imaging of Microglial Processes' Attraction Toward ATP or Serotonin in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: January 31, 2019

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 ATeam1.03^YEMK

Published on: December 19, 2019

Main Results:

Strong evidence supports ATP's role as a transmitter in smooth muscle, peripheral ganglia, and the brain.
The cloning and identification of two purinergic receptors (P2X and P2Y families) align with pharmacological classifications.
ATP's neural signaling mechanisms involve specific storage, release, and hydrolysis pathways.

Conclusions:

ATP is a significant neural signaling substance with well-defined receptors and mechanisms of action.
The study of ATP and related nucleotides provides insights into diverse physiological processes.
Further research into nucleotide signaling can reveal novel therapeutic targets.