P2X7 Receptor (E1E8T) Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody #13809

P2X purinergic receptors are ATP-gated ion channels involved in physiological processes that include inflammation, afferent sensory signaling, and sympathetic motor nerve activity. Seven different vertebrate genes (P2RX1-P2RX7) encode for individual receptor protein subunits (1). All P2X subunit proteins share similar protein domain structure, but can differ in overall protein length from 384 to 595 amino acids. Each P2X subunit is composed of amino- and carboxy-terminal intracellular domains, two transmembrane domains, and a large extracellular loop that contains ten evenly spaced cysteines and multiple glycosylation sites (2). P2X receptors are found in a variety of cell types and tissues, including central and peripheral nervous system neurons and glial cells, autonomic and sensory neurons, bone, muscle, and hematopoietic tissues (1).
Purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) is a homotrimer involved in diverse cellular responses, including inflammation mediated by phospholipase A2, phospholipase D, MAP kinase, and NF-κB activation (3,4). Research studies suggest that P2X7 receptors promote apoptosis by regulating release of IL-1β in neurodegenerative disorders associated with inflammation (5). Microglial P2X7 receptors may contribute to neuroinflammatory responses in the ATP-rich site of neuronal injury (6) and mediate inflammatory pain (7, 8). Association studies demonstrate a possible causal link between P2RX7 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to bipolar affective disorder and major depressive disorder (9,10).