Initiation of purinergic signaling by exocytosis of ATP-containing vesicles in liver epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular ATP represents an important autocrine/paracrine signaling molecule within the liver. The mechanisms responsible for ATP release are unknown, and alternative pathways have been proposed, including either conductive ATP movement through channels or exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles, although direct evidence from liver cells has been lacking. Utilizing dynamic imaging modalities (confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and luminescence detection utilizing a high sensitivity CCD camera) at different scales, including confluent cell populations, single cells, and the intracellular submembrane space, we have demonstrated in a model liver cell line that (i) ATP release is not uniform but reflects point source release by a defined subset of cells; (ii) ATP wi

SUBMITTER: Feranchak AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2832965 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature