A P2X purinoceptor expressed by a subset of sensory neurons

Nature. 1995 Oct 5;377(6548):428-31. doi: 10.1038/377428a0.

Abstract

ATP is known to depolarize sensory neurons, and may play a role in nociceptor activation when released from damaged tissue. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of a new member of the P2X receptor family, P2X3, expressed by these cells. The channel transcript was present in a subset of rat dorsal-root-ganglion sensory neurons, some of which express nociceptor-associated markers; it was absent in other tissues that were tested, including sympathetic, enteric and central nervous system neurons. Moreover, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the channel showed an ATP-dependent cation flux. P2X3 is the only ligand-gated channel known to be expressed exclusively by a subset of sensory neurons. The remarkable selectivity of expression of the channel coupled with its sensory neuron-like pharmacology suggests that this channel may transduce ATP-evoked nociceptor activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Electrophysiology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
  • Oocytes
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X3
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • P2rx3 protein, rat
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X3

Associated data

  • GENBANK/X90651