The role of P2 purinergic receptores in bone metabolisme and their therapeutic potential

Abstract. The role of purinergic P2 receptors in bone biology has been evaluated over the last decade. These receptors have proven to be an interesting target for new pharmacological agents with the ability to regulate bone metabolism. As the prevalence of osteoporosis increases new efficient agents to treat the disease are sought for. The P2 receptors are activated by nucleotides and recently, studies have shown a possible role for these in bone turnover and metabolism. P2 receptors can be divided further into P2X and P2Y subtypes with strikingly different mechanisms of action. They are expressed both by osteoblasts and by osteoclasts, and agonist binding affects cell proliferation, differentiation, activity, and apoptosis of the cells. With the increasingly knowledge of the function and role of these receptors in bone biology, they will undoubtedly be a potential target for designing new drugs, which can be used for treatment of metabolic bone diseases, including osteoporosis. This article is reviewing the studies documenting the effects of nucleotides and P2 receptors in bone and bone cells.