A state-of-the-art summary from leading laboratories around the world of our current knowledge of the molecular biology, the physiology, and the pharmacology of the P2 receptors. The authoritative contributions cover the major aspects of these receptors, describing the relationships between physiological and pharmacological effects of ATP and other nucleotides and the various cloned P2 receptors, as well as providing an historical perspective and discussing current issues of nomenclature. They also illuminate how P2 receptor structures contribute to their function, including the physical differences underlying the pharmacological and functional variations among P2 receptor subtypes.

The study of purinergic mechanisms has for long been focused on the actions of the nucleoside adenosine, whereby the contribution of nucleotides to the signaling systems has been underestimated.Based on the proceedings of a IUPHAR Satellite Conference held in Leipzig, Germany, this book offers a comprehensive update and overview of nucleotide release, the structure and function of nucleotide receptors, nucleotide-metabolizing ecto-enzymes as well as the physiological functions of nucleotides in the nervous system. The physiology and molecular biology of receptors for ATP and other nucleotides are examined, as are the physiology and molecular biology of enzymes that hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides.At present, a pharmacology of the nucleotide signaling system is being developed. Of particular interest is the production of receptor subtype-specific antagonists and of drugs that selectively affect the extracellular lifetime of the nucleotide.An excellent source of reference for institutes of pharmacology, biochemistry, neurology, zoology, and physiology, and for the pharmaceutical industry.

Purinergic receptors are proteins that bind ATP as their extracellular ligand. Once thought only as an intracellular molecule that provides energy, ATP is also now considered an essential autocrine/paracrine agonist that acts extracellularly within tissues and tissue microenvironments. Receptors for ATP and its metabolites, so-called "purinergic receptors," are essential membrane receptors that transduce the extracellular signal carried by ATP. Many cell types or tissues express multiple types of these receptors, often on the same cell. This volume will cover the history and overall impact of extracellular ATP signaling, methods to detect ATP release and signaling, the molecular and cell biology of purinergic receptors, the pharmacology of purinergic receptors, the ion channel biophysics and biochemistry of P2X purinergic receptor channels, and the physiology and pathophysiology of purinergic receptors.Key Features* Organized and written by world-renowned experts* Covers state-of-the-art experimental methods* Has broad appeal to basic and clinical scientists, the biotch industry and pharmaceutical research companies

ATP's powerful impact on the heart and blood vessels was first described in 1929, but it was not until the 1970s that ATP was proposed as the 'purinergic' neurotransmitter in autonomic nerves. The door to this area of research was thrown open when receptors for ATP and its ectoenzymatic breakdown product adenosine were first cloned in the early 199

This book contains a selection of lectures given during the 5th International Symposium on Adenosine and Adenine Nucleotides, recently held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Adenosine and Adenine Nucleotides: From Molecular Biology to Integrative Physiology covers a wide range of subjects from molecular and cellular biology to clinical applications. A great emphasis has been placed on cutting edge information derived from studies using molecular and cellular biology techniques applied to the field of adenosine and adenine nucleotide research. The book also includes information on potentially promising developments in the therapeutic applications of adenosine related drugs and ATP. The tradition of past meetings is also maintained by including in the program presentations of new research in the areas of purine metabolism and physiology, and pharmacology of adenosine and adenine nucleotides. Adenosine and Adenine Nucleotides: From Molecular Biology to Integrative Physiology is an excellent, up-to-date reference book for basic and clinical scientists in the field of adenosine and adenine nucleotides.

Many different pathological conditions are currently under investigation as therapeutic targets of purines including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, behavioural disorders, inflammation, immunoregulation, and neuroendocrine function. This book draws together research on all aspects of P2 purinoceptors and discusses their use in different therapeutic areas.

Physiological, pharmacological and molecular biological data generated over the past three decades have demonstrated the existence of two major families of extracellular receptors, the P1, a family of four G-protein coupled receptors and the P2, a family of at least 12 receptors responsive to purine (ATP, ADP) and pyrimidine (UTP) nucleotides through which adenosine and ATP can function as extracellular messengers. The present two-part volume represents an integrated compendium of invited chapters by leading researchers in the area focusing on advances in the understanding of purinergic and pyrimidinergic signaling systems, their role(s) in tissue function and pathophysiology and advances in developing potential new medications based on the modulation of P1 and P2 receptor signaling processes. The volumes will thus provide the reader with a topical, comprehensive and integrated overview of this important area.

Advances in Medicinal Chemistry provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences, which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies.

It has been known for half a century that neurotransmitters are released in preformed quanta, that the quanta represent transmitter-storing vesicles, and that release occurs by exocytosis. The focus of this book is twofold. In the first part, the molecular events of exocytosis are analysed. In the second part of the book, the presynaptic receptors for endogenous chemical signals are presented that make neurotransmitter release a highly regulated process.

This overview of autonomic pharmacology describes the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the autonomic involuntary nervous system. Covering the diverse group of drugs acting on the autonomous nervous system, their actions are reviewed together with their clinical uses, side effects, interactions and subcellular mechanisms of action. Information is organized in a logical flow, bringing together the latest advances in an integrated form on topics usually found only in a fragmented form.; This work is intended for all those researching in industry and academic institutions in pharmaceutical, pharmacological sciences, pharmacy, medical sciences, physiology, neurosciences, biochemistry and molecular biology.