Overview
- Peptide CRPIYEFHGLYEEK, corresponding to amino acid residues 270-283 of human P2X1 receptor (Accession P51575). Extracellular loop.
- Mouse brain sections.
Expression of P2X1 receptor in mouse cerebellumImmunohistochemical staining of mouse cerebellum using Anti-P2X1 Receptor (extracellular)-ATTO Fluor-488 Antibody (#APR-022-AG). A. Most of P2RX1 labeling (green) appears in fine processes in the molecular layer (MOL) and in Purkinje cells. B. Nuclear staining using DAPI. C. Merge of panels A and B.
- Rat PC12 cells.
The P2X receptors belong to the ligand-gated ion channel family and are activated by extracellular ATP.
The structure and function of the P2X receptors, investigated mainly using in vitro models, indicate their involvement in synaptic communication, cell death, and differentiation.
Seven mammalian P2X receptor subtypes (P2X1–P2X7) have been identified and cloned1-3. All P2X receptor subtypes share the same structure of intracellular N- and C-termini two membrane-spanning domains and a large extracellular loop.
All P2X receptor subtypes can assemble to form homomeric or heteromeric functional channels with the exception of P2X6, which only seems to function as part of a heteromeric complex4-9.
The various P2X receptor subtypes show distinct expression patterns. P2X1-6 have been found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, while the P2X7 receptor is predominantly found in cells of the immune system4. The P2X1 receptor is present in smooth muscle, cerebellum, dorsal horn spinal neurons, and platelets where it is suggested to play a regulatory role during in vivo homeostasis and thrombosis3,4,10,11.
