2-Methylthio-ATP

2-Methylthio-ATP (2-MeSATP) is a synthetic analogue of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that is used in biochemical research to study the function of purinergic receptors, particularly the P2Y and P2X receptor subtypes. It is characterized by the substitution of a methylthio group at the 2-position of the adenine ring, which confers unique properties that make it useful for probing the physiological roles of ATP in cellular signaling.

Chemical Structure and Properties

2-Methylthio-ATP is a modified nucleotide with the chemical formula C₁₁H₁₈N₅O₁₃P₃S. The presence of the methylthio group at the 2-position of the adenine base distinguishes it from natural ATP. This modification affects its interaction with purinergic receptors, making it a selective agonist for certain receptor subtypes.

Biological Activity

2-Methylthio-ATP is primarily used as a tool to study the activation of P2Y receptors, a class of G protein-coupled receptors that respond to extracellular nucleotides. It is known to activate P2Y₁, P2Y₂, and P2Y₁₁ receptors, among others. Additionally, it can interact with certain P2X receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels.

P2Y Receptor Activation

The activation of P2Y receptors by 2-MeSATP leads to various intracellular signaling cascades, including the activation of phospholipase C, which results in the production of inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) and diacylglycerol (DAG). These second messengers play critical roles in calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation, respectively.

P2X Receptor Interaction

While 2-MeSATP is less potent at P2X receptors compared to ATP, it can still serve as a partial agonist for certain subtypes, such as P2X₁ and P2X₃. This interaction is useful for dissecting the roles of these receptors in physiological and pathological processes.

Applications in Research

2-Methylthio-ATP is widely used in pharmacological studies to:

• Characterize the pharmacodynamics of purinergic receptors.
• Investigate the physiological roles of ATP in neurotransmission, inflammation, and other cellular processes.
• Develop selective receptor agonists and antagonists for therapeutic purposes.

Safety and Handling

As with many biochemical reagents, 2-MeSATP should be handled with care. It is important to follow appropriate safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment and proper storage conditions, to ensure safe handling and disposal.

Also see

• Adenosine triphosphate
• Purinergic signaling
• P2Y receptor
• P2X receptor
• Nucleotide analogues