Role of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor in hippocampal function in mice.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the purinergic P2Y2 receptor in learning and memory processes. Behavioral, electrophysiological, and biochemical tests of memory function were conducted in P2Y2 receptor knockout (P2Y2R-KO) mice, and the findings were compared to those of wild-type mice with the help of unpaired Student's t-test. The findings of the behavioral Y-maze test showed that the P2Y2R-KO mice had impaired memory and cognitive function. Electrophysiological studies on paired-pulse facilitation showed that glutamate release was higher in the P2Y2R-KO mice than in the WT mice. Furthermore, PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of acetylcholinesterase E (AChE) and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) were increased in the hippocampus of P2Y2R-KO mice. The findings of this study indicate that P2Y2 receptors are important regulators of both glutamatergic and cholinergic systems in the hippocampus.