response to purine-containing compound

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a purine-containing compound stimulus. [GOC:ef]

Response to purine-containing compounds is a complex biological process that involves the recognition and binding of purine-containing molecules by specific receptors, leading to a cascade of intracellular signaling events that ultimately result in a cellular response. Purines are a class of nitrogenous bases that are essential components of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and play crucial roles in various cellular processes, including energy metabolism, signal transduction, and immune responses.

Purine-containing compounds are recognized by a variety of receptors on the cell surface, including purinergic receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are specifically activated by purines. These receptors are classified into two main families: P1 receptors, which are activated by adenosine, and P2 receptors, which are activated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and other purine nucleotides.

Upon binding of a purine-containing compound to its receptor, a signal transduction cascade is initiated. This cascade typically involves the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, such as the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway, the phospholipase C (PLC) pathway, or the MAP kinase pathway. These pathways can lead to a wide range of cellular responses, including changes in gene expression, enzyme activity, ion channel permeability, and cell proliferation.

The specific cellular response to a purine-containing compound depends on the type of receptor activated, the intracellular signaling pathways involved, and the cellular context. For example, activation of P1 receptors can lead to relaxation of smooth muscle, inhibition of neurotransmitter release, and stimulation of anti-inflammatory responses. On the other hand, activation of P2 receptors can lead to contraction of smooth muscle, neurotransmitter release, and activation of immune cells.

Purine-containing compounds are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including neurotransmission, inflammation, muscle contraction, and immune responses. They are also implicated in a number of pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Therefore, understanding the biological process of response to purine-containing compounds is essential for developing new therapies targeting these receptors and signaling pathways.
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Proteins (9)

Compounds (219)