Nucleotides control the excitability of sensory neurons via two P2Y receptors and a bifurcated signaling cascade.

Nucleotides contribute to the sensation of acute and chronic pain, but it remained enigmatic which G protein-coupled nucleotide (P2Y) receptors and associated signaling cascades are involved. To resolve this issue, nucleotides were applied to dorsal root ganglion neurons under current- and voltage-clamp. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and uridine triphosphate (UTP), but not uridine diphosphate (UDP), depolarized the neurons and enhanced action potential firing in response to current injections. The P2Y(2) receptor preferring agonist 2-thio-UTP was equipotent to UTP in eliciting these effects. The selective P2Y(1) receptor antagonist MRS2179 largely attenuated the excitatory effects of ADP, but left those of 2-thio-UTP unaltered. Thus, the excitatory effects of the nucleotides were mediated by 2 different P2Y receptors, P2Y(1) and P2Y(2). Activation of each of these 2 receptors by either ADP or 2-thio-UTP inhibited currents through K(V)7 channels, on one hand, and facilitated currents through TRPV(1) channels, on the other hand. Both effects were abolished by inhibitors of phospholipase C or Ca(2+)-ATPase and by chelation of intracellular Ca(2+). The facilitation of TRPV(1), but not the inhibition K(V)7 channels, was prevented by a protein kinase C inhibitor. Simultaneous blockage of K(V)7 channels and of TRPV(1) channels prevented nucleotide-induced membrane depolarization and action potential firing. Thus, P2Y(1) and P2Y(2) receptors mediate an excitation of dorsal root ganglion neurons by nucleotides through the inhibition of K(V)7 channels and the facilitation of TRPV(1) channels via a common bifurcated signaling pathway relying on an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) and an activation of protein kinase C, respectively.