Involvement of P2Y13 receptor in suppression of neuronal differentiation

The role of the purinergic receptors for the neuronal differentiation was examined. The P2Y13 receptor antagonist MRS2211 significantly accelerated neurite outgrowth. The P2Y13 further increased the NGF-induced activation of ERK1/2 in PC12 cells. P2Y13 receptor seem to be involved in suppression of neuronal differentiation. P2Y13 receptor antagonists might be candidates for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We examined the receptor-mediated effects of extracellular ATP on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells, Neuro2a cells and MEB5 cells by using a series of receptor antagonists. The P2Y13 receptor antagonist MRS2211 significantly accelerated neurite outgrowth in all cases. Treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) alone activated ERK1/2 in PC12 cells, and the activation was further increased by MRS2211. These results suggest involvement of P2Y13 receptor in suppression of neuronal differentiation. Thus, P2Y13 receptor antagonists might be candidates for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.