Identification of separate receptors for adenosine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate in causing relaxations of the isolated taenia of the guinea-pig caecum.

1 The mechanisms by which adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine relax the taenia caecum preparation of the guineapig have been studied. ATP and ADP produced similar effects which were qualitatively different from those of AMP and adenosine. 2 2-2'Pyridylisatogen tosylate (PIT: 50 muM for 30 min) blocked the effects of ATP and ADP, but exhibited weak activity against AMP and failed to antagonize the effects of adenosine. The action of PIT was unaffected by the inclusion of dipyridamole (2muM) in the bathing fluid. 3 There was a significant correlation between the sensitivity of individual preparations to ATP or ADP and the blocking potency of PIT. 4 The presence of adenosine in the bathing fluid (2 mM for greater than 30 min) desensitized the taenia to subsequent applications of adenosine. The effects of ATP were increased by this procedure. 5 The results indicate that ATP and adenosine relax the taenia by different mechanisms.