Role of P2X4 receptor,a subtype of ionotropic purinoceptors, in central nervous system and its potential role as a drug target for treating neurological disorders / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Adenosine 5-triphosphate is not only the source of cellular energy,but also the extracel-lular signal molecule that binds two different classes of ATP receptorsionotropic P2X receptors and G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors.P2X4 receptor is one of the ionotropic P2X receptors widely expressed in the central nervous system(CNS).This subtype of the ionotropic P2X receptor is implicated in many physiological and pathological functions in the CNS, including chronic pain, alcohol abuse, seizures, Alzheimer′s and Parkinson′s diseases,and stroke.Therefore,P2X4 receptor has attracted attention as a promising drug target.Here,we review the findings of research or the physiological and pathological functions of P2X4 in the CNS. Recent progress in the development of new pharmacological agents of P2X4,such as selective antagonists,is also presented here.