Immune cells express receptors for extracellular nucleotides named P2 receptors. P2 receptors transduce signals delivered by nucleotides present in the extracellular environment. Accruing evidence shows that purinergic signalling has a profound effect on multiple immune cell responses such as T lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis, cytokine release, phagocytosis, Ag presentation and cytotoxicity. This makes P2 receptors an attractive target for the therapy of immuno-mediated disease and cancer.

Background:The purinergic receptor P2X7, an ATP-gated cation channel, triggers the proteolytic cleavage of membrane glycoproteins by ␣-secretases. Results: P2X7R induces ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) phosphorylation, which activates the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Conclusion: ERM phosphorylation is required for the P2X7R-dependent release of the neuroprotective fragment of APP. Significance: ERM can control the non-amyloidogenic processing of APP.