Adenosine receptor interactions in the hippocampus

Adenosine receptors are involved in interactions with receptors for other n eurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators. This opens novel possibilities for the action of this nucleoside. Either through direct receptor-receptor mod ulation or beyond the receptor level (PKA, PKC, or calcium channels), it ap pears that to protect the cells from insult adenosine moves around to use a s many several receptor systems as possible, namely, receptors for neuropep tides (CGRP and VIP), ionotropic (NMDA) and metabotropic (mGlur I and III) glutamate receptors, GABA, and nicotinic autofacilitatory, muscarinic, and dopamine receptors. With these, adenosine might synchronize or desynchroniz e synaptic transmission in order to fine-tune the nervous system. Drug Dev. Res. 52:337-345, 2001, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.