FOR 748: Neuronal and Glial P2 Receptors; Molecular Basis and Functional Significance
Final Report Abstract
P2 receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system are targets of extracellular nucleotides such as ATP/ADP and UTP/UDP. P2X and/or P2Y receptors play previously unappreciated but important roles in the pathogenesis of diseases such as neuropathic pain, retinal damage, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Our consortium, located at the University of Leipzig together with satellite projects at the University of Aachen and the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, investigated the specific relevance of ligand-gated P2X and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors at neurons and glial cells. The projects specifically addressed questions about the structure, assembly, signal transduction pathways and interaction mechanisms of these receptors but also their interplay with enzymes regulating the nucleotide turnover. Gene-deficient mouse models for P2X and P2Y receptors and BAC transgenic reporter mice were central tools and were analyzed by concerted efforts of our consortium. Reflecting the past 7 years of granting, this unique concentration of multiple expertises provided a number of highly relevant results and formed a nationwide but also international visible focal point for P2 receptor research. The majority of the members continue their research on P2 receptor in a number of newly founded research consortia.
