Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Extracellular purines and pyrimidines are nucleotides that are gaining importance as a ubiquitous family of extracellular signaling molecules. Recently it has been shown that ATP, apart from serving as an energy molecule also acts as a cotransmitter and a modulator in neurotransmission. The role of ATP as a signaling molecule is not limited to the nervous system. ATP sensitivity and ATP mediated signaling has been identified in all kinds of tissues and cell types. ATP along with other nucleotides activates purinoreceptors which are membrane receptors for extracellular nucleotides. P2 purinoreceptors are subdivided into two families, G protein coupled P2Y (metabotropic) and ligand gated ion channels (P2X-ionotropic). In the present work, an attempt was made to identify the existence of different subclasses of P2 purino receptors across the kingdoms as varied as mammalian and single celled protozoans. The model cells selected for the study were rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) and the single celled protozoan Amoeba proteus. We identified the occurrence of both ionotropic and metaboropic purinoreceptors in these two different species. Specifically the ionotropic P2X2 receptor and metabotropic P2Y2 receptors were found to be expressed, in PC12 cells as well as in Amoeba proteus. The current study shows the existence of purinorecptors in diverse species and throws a light on the evolutionary significance of these receptors.

Biography

Sunitha Shroff N has completed her PhD from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore and postdoctoral studies from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Bangalore. Currently, she is working as a lecturer at the Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She has ten years of research experience in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology and has three years of teaching experience.