Description
P2X purinoceptor 7, also called P2X7, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the P2RX7 gene. The product of this gene belongs to the family of purnoceptors for ATP. P2RX7 was mapped to chromosome 12q24 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. It is a receptor for ATP that acts as a ligand-gated ion channel. This gene is responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages through the formation of membrane pores permeable to large molecules. It could function in both fast synaptic transmission and the ATP-mediated lysis of antigen-presenting cells