Ligand binding und activation in P2X-receptors

P2X-receptors are ligand-gated ion channels permeable for cations and are activated by ATP. They are ubiquitously expressed and are involved in processes like pain, inflammation and the cardiovascular system. So far seven subunits forming either homomeric or heteromeric trimers are described in mammals.

In the project we study ligand binding and receptor activation simultaneously using the confocal patch-clamp fluorometry. To this aim different fluorescent ligands were tested on P2X2-wildtype receptors and mutants with higher apparent affinities. Furthermore we study concatenated receptors with the goal to get more insights in the function of individual subunits in the homo and heterotrimeric complexes.