TY - JOUR T1 - The Expression Level of Ecto-NTP Diphosphohydrolase1/CD39 Modulates Exocytotic and Ischemic Release of Neurotransmitters in a Cellular Model of Sympathetic Neurons JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 524 LP - 532 DO - 10.1124/jpet.111.179994 VL - 337 IS - 2 AU - Federico Corti AU - Kim E. Olson AU - Aaron J. Marcus AU - Roberto Levi Y1 - 2011/05/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/337/2/524.abstract N2 - Once released, norepinephrine is removed from cardiac synapses via reuptake into sympathetic nerves, whereas transmitter ATP is catabolized by ecto-NTP diphosphohydrolase 1 (E-NTPDase1)/CD39, an ecto-ATPase. Because ATP is known to modulate neurotransmitter release at prejunctional sites, we questioned whether this action may be ultimately controlled by the expression of E-NTPDase1/CD39 at sympathetic nerve terminals. Accordingly, we silenced E-NTPDase1/CD39 expression in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells, a cellular model of sympathetic neuron, in which dopamine is the predominant catecholamine. We report that E-NTPDase1/CD39 deletion markedly increases depolarization-induced exocytosis of ATP and dopamine and increases ATP-induced dopamine release. Moreover, overexpression of E-NTPDase1/CD39 resulted in enhanced removal of exogenous ATP, a marked decrease in exocytosis of ATP and dopamine, and a large decrease in ATP-induced dopamine release. Administration of a recombinant form of E-NTPDase1/CD39 reproduced the effects of E-NTPDase1/CD39 overexpression. Exposure of PC12 cells to simulated ischemia elicited a release of ATP and dopamine that was markedly increased in E-NTPDase1/CD39-silenced cells and decreased in E-NTPDase1/CD39-overexpressing cells. Therefore, transmitter ATP acts in an autocrine manner to promote its own release and that of dopamine, an action that is controlled by the level of E-NTPDase1/CD39 expression. Because ATP availability greatly increases in myocardial ischemia, recombinant E-NTPDase1/CD39 therapeutically used may offer a novel approach to reduce cardiac dysfunctions caused by excessive catecholamine release. ER -