P-2 PURINOCEPTORS MODULATING NORADRENALINE RELEASE FROM SYMPATHETIC NEURONS IN CULTURE

ATP (1 mM) inhibited, whereas 2-methylthio-ATP (30 mu M), a P-2Y-selec tive purinoceptor agonist, increased electrically evoked release of [H -3]noradrenaline from chick sympathetic neurons. The P-2X-selective pu rinoceptor agonist alpha,beta-methylene-ATP (30 mu M) had no effect. T he ATP-induced inhibition of release as well as the facilitation cause d by 2-methylthio-ATP was not affected by the selective adenosine (P-1 ) receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (8-PST; 100 mu M) , but completely prevented by the non-selective P-2 antagonist suramin (300 mu M). The present data reveal a dual regulation of noradrenalin e release from sympathetic neurons. Facilitation seems to be mediated by a P-2Y purinoceptor, whereas inhibition is caused by a P-2 purinoce ptor which needs further subtype characterization.