Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 78 (4), 405-410 (1998)


-Current Perspective-
ATP Receptors for the Protection of Hippocampal Functions

Kazuhide Inoue

Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan

Abstract: The inhibitory effects of extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) are reviewed in the present paper. ATP inhibits the release of the excitatory transmitter glutamate and stimulates the release of the inhibitory transmitter GABA from hippocampal neurons. Also, ATP activates potassium conductance directly through G protein, resulting in hyperpolarization of membrane potential. ATP activates microglia to secrete plasminogen that promotes the development of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons and enhances neurite outgrowth from explants of neocortical tissue. Moreover, ATP may protect hippocampal neurons from excitotoxic cell death by preserving mitochondrial function. Thus, ATP may have a role in the protection of the function of hippocampus from over-stimulation by glutamate.

Keywords: ATP, Hippocampus, Neuron, Protection, Excitotoxicity


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1998

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