Recent studies indicate that ATP and UTP act at G protein-coupled (P2Y) nucleotide
receptors to excite nociceptive sensory neurons; nucleotides also potentiate signaling
through the pro-nociceptive capsaicin receptor, TRPV1. We demonstrate here that P2Y2 is
the principal UTP receptor in somatosensory neurons: P2Y2 is highly expressed in dorsal
root ganglia and P2Y2 (−/−) mice showed profound deficits in UTP-evoked calcium
transients and potentiation of capsaicin responses. P2Y2 (−/−) mice were also deficient in …