The Cellular Prion Protein Prevents Copper-Induced Inhibition of P2X4 Receptors

Figure 3

PrP^C prevents Cu²⁺-induced inhibition of P2X₄ receptor. (a) Representative recordings obtained from oocytes expressing P2X₄ receptor (left traces, P2X₄) or coexpressing P2X₄ receptor and PrP-3F4 (right traces, P2X₄/PrP-3F4) showing 10 μM ATP-evoked currents (open bars) and its inhibition by 10 μM Cu²⁺ (closed bars). (b) Statistical analysis of Cu²⁺ inhibition showed in (a), performed in different oocytes (𝑛=12−14, *𝑃<0.01 versus ATP, ^#𝑃<0.01 versus P2X₄ alone). Bars are mean values ± SEM. (c), Cu²⁺ concentration-response curves of 10 μM ATP inhibition in oocytes expressing P2X₄ receptor (open circles) or co-expressing P2X₄ receptor and PrP-3F4 (closed circles). Symbols are mean values ± SEM, numbers in parenthesis are number of oocytes.

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