HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 586/14/3307    most recent jphysiol.2008.155903v1 Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Burnstock, G. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burnstock, G. Related Collections Review articles Neuroscience

¹ Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK

Some areas of current interest in the rapidly expanding purinergic signalling field that are controversial or are unresolved are highlighted in this review. These include the mechanisms underlying: ATP transport across cell and vesicle membranes; the interaction of multiple receptors for purines and pyrimidines on single cells; the blocking effect of antagonists to P2X₄ and P2X₇ receptors expressed by microglial cells in neuropathic and inflammatory pain; and the complex actions mediated by P2X₇ receptors. Some desirable areas for further research are also discussed including: comparative studies of the evolution of purinergic signalling; studies of purinergic signalling in development and regeneration, including the involvement of stem cells; behavioural studies; and therapeutic strategies.

(Received 25 April 2008; accepted after revision 19 May 2008; first published online 22 May 2008)
Corresponding author G. Burnstock: Autonomic Neuroscience Centre, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. Email: g.burnstock{at}ucl.ac.uk