Structure, function and physiological significance of vesicular nucleotide transporter(VNUT)

三磷酸腺苷是嘌呤能信号传递的主要化学递质，分布于全身，在接受化学感觉和疼痛、神经再生、血小板聚集、炎症等多种生理和病理过程中发挥重要作用。在分泌之前，三磷酸腺苷储存在分泌囊泡中。囊泡核苷酸转运体(VNUT)负责核苷酸的囊泡储存，在嘌呤能化学传递中起重要作用。本研究揭示了VNUT的结构和功能关系及其生理意义。特别是，我们建立了(1)有效的和可逆的VNUT修饰剂和(2)基因敲除小鼠。使用这两种工具，我们可以在体外和体内控制嘌呤能化学物质的传递。

ATP is a major chemical transmitter in purinergic signal transmission, which distributes throughout the body and plays an essential role in varuous physiological and pathological processes such as the reception of chemical senses and pains, neuroregeneration, platelet aggregation, inflammation. Before secretion, ATP is stored in the secretory vesicles. Vesicular nucleotide transporter(VNUT) is responsible for vesicular storage of nucleotide and thus plays an essential role in the purinergic chemial transmission. This study revealed sturucturral and functional relationship, and physiological significance of VNUT. In particular we established(1) potent and reversible modifiers of VNUT and(2) knockout mice. Using these two tools, we can control purinergic chemical transmisson in vitro and in vivo.