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Physiological and pathological roles of purines: An update
Author(s) -
Burnstock Geoffrey
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.430280303
Subject(s) - purinergic receptor , purine metabolism , purinergic signalling , neuroscience , purine , immune system , biology , endocrine system , immunology , endocrinology , receptor , biochemistry , adenosine , enzyme , adenosine receptor , hormone , agonist
In this review article, the early history of studies of purinergic neurotransmission and of purinoceptor subclassification is described. This is followed by a survey of current knowledge of the distribution of purinoceptors and of the physiological roles of purines in the nervous system, muscle, secretory, endocrine and immune cells, as well as in spermatocytes, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and tumour cells. Recent studies of transduction mechanisms for different purinoceptor subtypes, as well as reports of the molecular properties of encoding genes for purinoceptors, are reviewed. The evolution of purinergic mechanisms and the long‐term ‘trophic’ actions of purines are discussed. Finally, the clinical potential of purines and related compounds for various cardiovascular and behavioural disorders. As well as for inflammation and cancer are considered. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.