ATP a potent regulator of inositol phospholipids-phospholipase C and lipid mediators in brain cortex

Abstract

Adenosine-5'trisphosphate (ATP) is stored and co-released with various neurotransmitters but it may also act as a fast excitatory neurotransmitter trough the activation of purinoreceptor(s). In this study the effect of ATP on phospholipase C (PLC) degrading labelled PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns in brain cortex slices, brain homogenate and subcellular fractions was investigated. It was found that A TP added into brain slices activated significantly and specifically PtdIns(4,5)P2 degradation and this process was inhibited by theophylline. Moreover, ATP maintained a higher level of inositol(1,4,5)P3 radioactivity in total water-soluble inositol metabolites. However, ATP added directly for the assay of PLC into brain homogenate or subcellular fractions inhibits phosphoinositide degradation in a receptor-independent manner and suppresses conversion of Ins(l,4,5)P3 into Ins(1,4)P2. Our results indicate that ATP acting extracellularly through a purinergic receptor(s) activates PtdIns(4,5)P2 degradation and release of Ins(l,4,5)P3. ATP acting directly on PLC inhibits in a receptor-independent manner phosphoinositide degradation, and protects against liberation of lipid-derived second messengers.