Procedures to characterize and study P-2Z/P2X(7) purinoceptor: Flow cytometry as a promising practical, reliable tool

The expression of P-2Z/P2X(7) purinoceptor in different cell types is well established. This receptor is a member of the ionotropic P2X receptor famil y, which is composed by seven cloned receptor subtypes (P2X(1) - P2X(7)). I nterestingly, the P-2Z/P2X(7) has a unique feature of being linked to a non -selective pore which allows the passage of molecules up to 900 Da dependin g on the cell type. Early studies of P-2Z/P2X(7) purinoceptor were exclusiv ely based on classical pharmacological studies but the recent tools of mole cular biology have enriched;he analysis of the receptor expression. The maj ority of assays and techniques chosen so far to study the expression of P-2 Z/P2X(7) receptor explore directly or indirectly the effects of the opening of P-2Z/P2X(7) linked pore. In this review we describe the main techniques used to study, the expression and functionality of P-2Z/P2X(7) receptor Ad ditionally, the increasing need and importance of a multifunctional analysi s of P-2Z/P2X(7) expression based on flow cytometry technology is discussed , as well as the adoption of a more complete analysis of P-2Z/P2X(7) expres sion involving different techniques.