This review is focused on purinergic neurotransmission, i.e., ATP released from nerves as a transmitter or cotransmitter to act as an extracellular signaling molecule on both pre- and postjunctional membranes at neuroeffector junctions and synapses, as well as acting as a trophic factor during development and regeneration. Emphasis is placed on the physiology and pathophysiology of ATP, but extracellular roles of its breakdown product, adenosine, are also considered because of their intimate interactions. The early history of the involvement of ATP in autonomic and skeletal neuromuscular transmission and in activities in the central nervous system and ganglia is reviewed. Brief background information is given about the identification of receptor subtypes for purines and pyrimidines and about ATP storage, release, and ectoenzymatic breakdown. Evidence that ATP is a cotransmitter in most, if not all, peripheral and central neurons is presented, as well as full accounts of neurotransmission and neuromodulation in autonomic and sensory ganglia and in the brain and spinal cord. There is coverage of neuron-glia interactions and of purinergic neuroeffector transmission to nonmuscular cells. To establish the primitive and widespread nature of purinergic neurotransmission, both the ontogeny and phylogeny of purinergic signaling are considered. Finally, the pathophysiology of purinergic neurotransmission in both peripheral and central nervous systems is reviewed, and speculations are made about future developments.

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Physiology and Pathophysiology of Purinergic Neurotransmission

Flow chemistry involves the use of channels or tubing to conduct a reaction in a continuous stream rather than in a flask Flow equipment provides chemists with unique control over reaction parameters enhancing reactivity or in some cases enabling new reactions This relatively young technology has received a remarkable amount of attention in the past decade with many reports on what can be done in flow Until recently, however, the question, “Should we do this in flow?” has merely been an afterthought This review introduces readers to the basic principles and fundamentals of flow chemistry and critically discusses recent flow chemistry accounts

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Flow Chemistry

Inflammatory cytokines in depression: Neurobiological mechanisms and therapeutic implications

In the past few years, using microwave energy to heat and drive chemical reactions has become increasingly popular in the medicinal chemistry community. First described 20 years ago, this non-classical heating method has matured from a laboratory curiosity to an established technique that is heavily used in academia and industry. One of the many advantages of using rapid 'microwave flash heating' for chemical synthesis is the dramatic reduction in reaction times--from days and hours to minutes and seconds. As will be discussed here, there are good reasons why many pharmaceutical companies are incorporating microwave chemistry into their drug discovery efforts.

The impact of microwave synthesis on drug discovery.

The drug-target residence time model was first introduced in 2006 and has been broadly adopted across the chemical biology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical communities. While traditional in vitro methods view drug-target interactions exclusively in terms of equilibrium affinity, the residence time model takes into account the conformational dynamics of target macromolecules that affect drug binding and dissociation. The key tenet of this model is that the lifetime (or residence time) of the binary drug-target complex, and not the binding affinity per se, dictates much of the in vivo pharmacological activity. Here, this model is revisited and key applications of it over the past 10 years are highlighted.

The drug-target residence time model: a 10-year retrospective

1-Benzyl-5-aryltetrazoles were discovered to be novel antagonists for the P2X7 receptor. Structure−activity relationship (SAR) studies were conducted around both the benzyl and phenyl moieties. In addition, the importance of the regiochemical substitution on the tetrazole was examined. Compounds were evaluated for activity to inhibit calcium flux in both human and rat recombinant P2X7 cell lines using fluorometric imaging plate reader technology. Analogues were also assayed for their ability to inhibit IL-1β release and to inhibit P2X7-mediated pore formation in human THP-1 cells. Compound 15d was advanced to efficacy studies in a model of neuropathic pain where significant reversal of mechanical allodynia was observed at doses that did not affect motor coordination.

Structure−Activity Relationship Studies on a Series of Novel, Substituted 1-Benzyl-5-phenyltetrazole P2X7 Antagonists

A mild and selective C(sp3 )-H aerobic oxidation enabled by decatungstate photocatalysis has been developed. The reaction can be significantly improved in a microflow reactor enabling the safe use of oxygen and enhanced irradiation of the reaction mixture. Our method allows for the oxidation of both activated and unactivated C-H bonds (30 examples). The ability to selectively oxidize natural scaffolds, such as (-)-ambroxide, pregnenolone acetate, (+)-sclareolide, and artemisinin, exemplifies the utility of this new method.

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Selective C(sp3)−H aerobic oxidation enabled by decatungstate photocatalysis in flow

A simple and efficient one step synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzimidazoles from carboxylic acids

Rapid and efficient synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles utilizing polymer-supported reagents under microwave heating.

[3H]A-804598 ([3H]2-cyano-1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-3-quinolin-5-ylguanidine) is a novel, potent, and selective antagonist radioligand for P2X7 receptors.

Ying Wang

Papers

Structure−Activity Relationship Studies on a Series of Novel, Substituted 1-Benzyl-5-phenyltetrazole P2X7 Antagonists

Selective C(sp3)−H aerobic oxidation enabled by decatungstate photocatalysis in flow

A simple and efficient one step synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzimidazoles from carboxylic acids

Rapid and efficient synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles utilizing polymer-supported reagents under microwave heating.

[3H]A-804598 ([3H]2-cyano-1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-3-quinolin-5-ylguanidine) is a novel, potent, and selective antagonist radioligand for P2X7 receptors.