A P2X purinoceptor expressed by a subset of sensory neurons

Chih Cheng Chen, Armen N. Akopian, Lucia Sivilotti, David Colquhoun, Geoffrey Burnstock, John N. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

939 Scopus citations

Abstract

ATP is known to depolarize sensory neurons, and may play a role in nociceptor activation when released from damaged tissue1-10. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of a new member of the P2X receptor family3,11,12, 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)428-431
Number of pages4
JournalNature
Volume377
Issue number6548
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 5 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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