P2RX7
P2RX7 (purinergic receptor P2X 7, also known as P2X7 or P2X purinoceptor 7) is an ATP-gated ion channel of the P2X receptor family. It is linked to ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages through the formation of membrane pores that are permeable to large molecules. Browse Assay Genie's current range of P2RX7 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
P2RX7 encodes a member of the purinoceptor family for ATP. The protein functions as a ligand-gated ion channel, meaning that binding of extracellular ATP gates the channel. According to the NCBI Gene summary, it is responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages through the formation of membrane pores permeable to large molecules. This pore-forming behaviour is a defining feature that researchers use to distinguish P2X7 from other members of its family.
The P2RX7 protein belongs to the P2X receptor family and is annotated by UniProt as a cell membrane protein. HGNC places the gene in the group of P2X purinergic receptors, and the official name is purinergic receptor P2X 7. The human P2RX7 gene has orthologs named P2rx7 in both mouse and rat, which allows comparative work across common model organisms. The UniProt function field records a non-functional channel annotation, a reminder that the properties of this receptor depend on the specific form of the protein being studied.
The NCBI Gene summary also notes that activation of the receptor by ATP in the cytoplasm may be a mechanism by which cellular activity is coupled to changes in gene expression. Multiple alternatively spliced variants of the P2RX7 gene have been identified, and most of them fit nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) criteria. Earlier names for the gene include purinergic receptor P2X, ligand-gated ion channel, 7, and the aliases P2X7 and MGC20089 appear in the literature and in databases. Together, these features make P2X7 a useful subject for studies of purinergic signalling, membrane permeability and ATP-driven cellular responses.
P2RX7 is an ATP-gated ion channel of the P2X family, making it a core component for studying extracellular ATP signalling.
The receptor is responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages, so it is relevant to work on macrophage responses to ATP.
P2X7 forms membrane pores permeable to large molecules, offering a model for investigating channel-to-pore transitions and membrane permeability.
Activation by cytoplasmic ATP may couple cellular activity to changes in gene expression, an area of interest for signalling research.
P2RX7 is a ligand-gated ion channel that responds to ATP. It is responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages through the formation of membrane pores permeable to large molecules. Activation by ATP in the cytoplasm may also couple cellular activity to changes in gene expression.
P2RX7 is also called P2X7 and P2X purinoceptor 7, with MGC20089 listed as an alias. An earlier HGNC name was purinergic receptor P2X, ligand-gated ion channel, 7. Multiple alternatively spliced variants are reported, and most of them fit nonsense-mediated decay criteria.
Yes. Orthologs named P2rx7 are recorded for both mouse and rat, so findings on the human P2RX7 gene and protein can be compared with rodent models. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other P2X purinergic receptor family members and related ATP-gated channel targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q99572; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.