Cloning and functional characterisation of the mouse P2X7 receptor.

We have isolated a 1785-bp complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the murine P2X7 receptor subunit from NTW8 mouse microglial cells. The encoded protein has 80%, and 85% homology to the human and rat P2X7 subunits, respectively. Functional properties of the heterologously expressed murine P2X7 homomeric receptor broadly resembled those of the P2X7 receptor in the native cell line. However, marked phenotypic differences were observed between the mouse receptor, and the other P2X7 receptor orthologues isolated with respect to agonist and antagonist potencies, and the kinetics of formation of the large aqueous pore.