ADP ribose is an endogenous ligand for the purinergic P2Y1 receptor.

The mechanism by which extracellular ADP ribose (ADPr) increases intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration (Ca(2+)) remains unknown. We measured Ca(2+) changes in fura-2 loaded rat insulinoma INS-1E cells, and in primary β-cells from rat and human. A phosphonate analogue of ADPr (PADPr) and 8-Bromo-ADPr (8Br-ADPr) were synthesized. ADPr increased Ca(2+) in the form of a peak followed by a plateau dependent on extracellular Ca(2+). NAD(+), cADPr, PADPr, 8Br-ADPr or breakdown products of ADPr did not increase Ca(2+). The ADPr-induced Ca(2+) increase was not affected by inhibitors of TRPM2, but was abolished by thapsigargin and inhibited when phospholipase C and IP(3) receptors were inhibited. MRS 2179 and MRS 2279, specific inhibitors of the purinergic receptor P2Y1, completely blocked the ADPr-induced Ca(2+) increase. ADPr increased Ca(2+) in transfected human astrocytoma cells (1321N1) that express human P2Y1 receptors, but not in untransfected astrocytoma cells. We conclude that ADPr is a specific agonist of P2Y1 receptors.