Using spinal cord slice preparations and patch-clamp recordings in lamina II and lamina V regions, we tested a hypothesis that P2X receptor subtypes differentially modulate glutamate release from primary afferent terminals innervating different sensory regions. We found that activation of P2X receptors by alpha,beta-methylene-ATP increased glutamate release onto >80% of DH neurons in both lamin...

We used a mouse with deletion of exons 4, 5, and 6 of the SCN11A (sodium channel, voltage-gated, type XI, alpha) gene that encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.9 to assess its contribution to pain. Na(v)1.9 is present in nociceptor sensory neurons that express TRPV1, bradykinin B2, and purinergic P2X3 receptors. In Na(v)1.9-/- mice, the non-inactivating persistent tetrodotoxin-resist...

There is now abundant evidence for ATP acting as an extracellular signalling molecule. Receptors for ATP have been cloned and characterised, including seven P2X ionotropic and eight P2Y metabotropic receptor subtypes, as well as four subtypes of P1 receptors sensitive to adenosine, a breakdown product of ATP. P2 purinoceptor subtypes are expressed on ureteral smooth muscle, urothelium and blood...

The prevalence of lower urinary tract storage disorders such as overactive bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence significantly increase with age. Previous studies have demonstrated age-related changes in detrusor function and urothelial transmitter release but few studies have investigated how the urothelium and sensory pathways are affected. The aim of this study was to investigate the eff...

In women, clinical studies suggest that functional pain syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and fibromyalgia, are co-morbid with endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and others diseases. One of the possible explanations for this phenomenon is visceral cross-sensitization in which increased nociceptive input from inflamed reproductive system organs sensitize neurons...

OBJECTIVE To examine purinergic signaling in human vas deferens. DESIGN To study contractile responses of the scrotal vas deferens. SETTING Research department of a university teaching hospital. PATIENT(S) Undergoing vasectomy or orchidectomy (aged 27-88 years, n = 14). INTERVENTION(S) Vasectomy or orchidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Strips of vas deferens were suspended in an organ...

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a signaling molecule that regulates cellular processes. Based on previous studies of bladder function over the past decade, bladder ATP signaling was thought to have an essential role in the normal micturition reflex. In this study, we performed detailed analyses of bladder function in purinergic receptor-deficient mice using the automated voided stain on paper m...

ATP is released in a vesicular manner from nerve terminals mainly at higher stimulation frequencies. There is a robust expression of ATP (P2) receptors in the brain, but their role is primarily unknown. We report that ATP analogs biphasically modulate the evoked release of glutamate from purified nerve terminals of the rat hippocampus, the facilitation being mediated by P2X1, P2X2/3, and P2X3 [...