Genomic Organization of Purinergic P2X Receptors

Purinergic P2X receptors are a family of ligand-gated cationic channels activated by extracellular ATP. P2X subunit protein sequences are highly conserved between vertebrate species. However, they can generate a great diversity of coding splicing variants to fulfill several roles in mammalian physiology. Despite intensive research in P2X expression in both central and peripheral nervous system, there is little information about their homology, genomic structure and other key features that can help to develop selective drugs or regulatory strategies of pharmacological value which are lacking today. In order to obtain clues on mammalian P2X diversity, we have performed a bioinformatics analysis of the coding regions and introns of the seven P2X subunits present in human, simian, dog, mouse, rat and zebrafish. Here we report the arrangements of exon and intron sequences, considering its number, size, phase and placement; proposing some ideas about the gain and loss of exons and retention of introns. Taken together, these evidences show traits that can be used to gain insight into the evolutionary history of vertebrate P2X receptors and better understand the diversity of subunits coding the purinergic signaling in mammals.