1. Discovery of purinergic signalling, the initial resistance and current explosion of interest.
- Author
-
Burnstock G
- Subjects
- Animals, Ion Channels chemistry, Ion Channels metabolism, Models, Molecular, Muscle, Smooth physiology, Neurotransmitter Agents metabolism, Neurotransmitter Agents pharmacology, Protein Conformation, Receptors, Purinergic chemistry, Receptors, Purinergic genetics, Synaptic Transmission physiology, Adenosine Triphosphate physiology, Cell Communication physiology, Receptors, Purinergic metabolism, Research trends, Signal Transduction physiology
- Abstract
There has been a remarkable growth of papers published about purinergic signalling via ATP since 1972. I am most grateful to the wonderful PhD students and postdoctoral fellows who have worked with me over the years to pursue the purinergic hypothesis despite early opposition and to the many outstanding scientists around the world who are currently extending the story. Recently, therapeutic approaches to pathological disorders include the development of selective P1 and P2 receptor subtype agonists and antagonists, as well as of inhibitors of extracellular ATP breakdown and of ATP transport enhancers and inhibitors. Medicinal chemists are starting to develop small molecule purinergic drugs that are orally bioavailable and stable in vivo., (© 2012 The Author. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.)
- Published
- 2012
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