Activation of ATP P2X receptors elicits glutamate release from sensory neuron synapses

Painful stimuli to the skin initiate action potentials in the peripheral terminals of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. These action potentials propagate to DRG central terminals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, evoking release of excitatory transmitters such as glutamate onto postsynaptic dorsal horn neurons. P2X receptors, a family of ligand-gated ion channels1,2 activated by the endogenous ligand ATP, are highly expressed by DRG neurons3,4,5. Immunoreactivity to P2X receptors has been identified in the dorsal horn superficial laminae associated with nociceptive DRG central terminals5, suggesting the presence of presynaptic P2X receptors. Here we have used a DRG–dorsal horn co-culture system to show that P2X receptors are localized at presynaptic sites on DRG neurons; that activation of these receptors results in increased frequency of spontaneous glutamate release; and that activation of P2X receptors at or near presynaptic DRG nerve terminals elicits action potentials that cause evoked glutamate release. Thus activation of P2X receptors at DRG central terminals can modify sensory signal throughput, and might even initiate sensory signals at central synapses without direct peripheral input. This putative central modulation and generation of sensory signals may be associated with physiological and pathological pain sensation, making presynaptic P2X receptors a possible target for pain therapy.