Topic: P2X receptors

P2X receptors are ligand-gated cation channels that play key roles in the central nervous system (CNS). Among those, P2X4 receptor, the most abundant P2X receptors expressed in the brain including neurons and microglia, are constitutively internalized and retained mainly into the lysosomes with a weak surface expression in normal conditions. Microglia functions have been directly linked to the regulation of lysosomal activity, which contributes to the brain homeostasis. Interestingly, P2X4 preserve their functionality into lysosomes and their activation by intraluminal ATP allows calcium influ

Supporting cells of the hearing organ are studied mostly in young and still deaf rodents. The receptors of the purinergic system is spread in the supporting cells and their roles in spontaneous activity during the development has been recognized, but our knowledge about the presence and role in older mice is much sparse.We have investigated the ATP induced Ca2+ transients with both experimental and modeling approaches.ATP-evoked Ca2+ responses were measured in Deiters’ (DCs), Hensen’s (HCs) and Claudius’ cells (CCs) in the BALB/c mouse hemicochlea preparation (from 14 days old to 21 days old).