Modulation of purinergic neurotransmission by ecto-ATPase

Abstract

The role of ecto-ATPase in modulating the purinergic component of neurotransmission in the guinea-pig vas deferens has been investigated using ARL 67156, a recently developed inhibitor of ecto-ATPase. ARL 67156 rapidly and reversibly potentiated neurogenic contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. ARL 67156 also potentiated contractions evoked by exogenous ATP, but had no effect on those to the stable analogue α,β-methyleneATP or on those to noradrenaline and KCl in the presence of the P₂-purinoceptor antagonist PPADS. These results are consistent with an inhibitory action of ARL 67156 on ecto-ATPase and suggest that ecto-ATPase modulates purinergic neurotransmission in the guinea-pig vas deferens.