P2X4 receptors regulate dopamine neurotransmission

What is it about?

P2X4 receptors are ion channels expressed in different cell types of the brain. P2X4 receptors have been previously implicated in regulation of behaviors such as information processing, emotional responses to stress and reward behavior. Notably, dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter implicated in the aforementioned behaviors. Taking this into consideration, a plausible mechanistic explanation for our behavioral findings is the disruption of dopamine system upon P2X4 receptor manipulation. Our publication describes the mechanisms by which P2X4 receptors can regulate dopamine neurotransmission and dependent behaviors. Overall, the findings lay the foundation for exploring a novel interaction between P2X4 receptors and the dopamine system in the brain.

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Why is it important?

The rise in prevalence and the staggering social and economic burden of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism underlies the need for better understanding the pathophysiology of these diseases. These challenges are further exacerbated by the current evidence that anti-psychotics have had limited success in treatment of psychiatric diseases. Our present investigation provides a novel mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of such diseases. Results from our study suggests that P2X4 receptors can interact with dopamine system in regulation of behaviors such as cognition and motor control and that disruption of this interaction could result in behavioral deficits that are reminiscent of manifestations observed in psychiatric illnesses. Hence, the findings from our study support our argument that P2X4 receptors are involved in underlying molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and that pharmacological modulation of P2X4 receptors could represent a novel class of therapeutic agents..

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