Understanding of the purinergic signaling using spider toxins and insecticides

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K15180
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General physiology
• Research Institution: Kagawa University (2018); Osaka University (2016-2017)
• Principal Investigator: Fujiwara Yuichiro 香川大学, 医学部, 教授 (20532980)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ion channel

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Purinergic ATP receptor channels (P2X) are responsible for maintaining various physiological functions such as pain sensation and transmission, dilation of blood vessels and inflammatory reaction. These physiological functions are exhibited by membrane excitation and Ca2+ dependent cellular reactions through P2X. In this study we explored the molecular basis of ion selectivity and its physiological roles using blockers and activators of P2X.

Free Research Field

生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ATP受容体のP2Xは、痛みの受容と伝達、血管の拡張、炎症反応など様々な生理機能に関係している。これら生理機能はP2Xから流入する陽イオンによる膜の興奮やCa2+による細胞内応答により発揮される。本研究により、P2Xのイオンの透過性の分子基盤とその生理機能が明らかになったことにより、将来的には、新しいタイプの鎮痛薬や抗高血圧薬への開発が期待される。