Immunocytochemical and Pharmacological Characterisation of P2-purinoceptor-mediated Cell Growth and Death in PC-3 Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer Cells

Background: Extracellular nucleotides (e.g. adenosine 5’-triphosphate, ATP) influence biological processes via purinergic receptors. We characterised the P2-purinoreceptors in human hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) cells (PC-3 cells). Results: 1. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated P2X 3 , P2X 4 , P2X 5 , P2X 7 and P2Y 2 receptors. 2. ATP inhibited cell growth by up to 91% over 72h. Pharmacological characterisation indicated a P2X-purinoreceptor-mediated response. 3. Comparable maximum growth inhibition was seen after either a single addition of 1mM or daily addition of 100mM ATP. ATP concentrations ([ATP]) returned to baseline levels within 24h if the initial [ATP] was ≤100 μM, while [ATP] remained high for 72h if a single concentration of 1 mM was used. 4. ATP 1 mM significantly (p