Increased temperature and acidosis effectively accelerate the recovery of P2X3 receptors from desensitization

Slow recovery from desensitization of P2X₃ receptors makes quite problematical understanding of their physiological function. We found that the recovery from desensitization of P2X₃ receptors is speeded up by a decrease in external pH and an increase in temperature. On the contrary, the onset of desensitization is independent of these influences. Such unusual combination of temperature sensitivity/insensitivity allows receptors to function near normal body temperature even at low nanomolar concentrations of ATP. Since it is known that slight acidosis and increased temperature are typical of inflammation, we conclude that under inflammatory conditions the function of P2X₃ receptors is upregulated. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, Nos. 4/5, pp. 377–379, July–October, 2007.