Studies of the human lymphocyte P2Z receptor and its activation of phospholipase D

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an important energy storage chemical inside all cells. Human lymphocytes have P2Z receptors. This study showed that when ATP was added added to the outside of lymphocytes it attached to the P2Z receptor opening a channel through which tiny amounts of calcium entered the cell switching on the enzyme phospholipase D. Two new and potent inhibitors for the P2Z receptor, KN-62 and KN-04, which have no effect on the other two types of ATP receptor were discovered. They are several hundred times more potent than currently available inhibitors.