Emerging Roles of Purinergic Signaling in Diabetes

Purinergic signaling accounts for a complex network of receptors and extracellular enzymes responsible for the generation, recognition and degradation of extracellular ATP and adenosine. The main actors of this system include P2X, P2Y and Adenosine Receptors, ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 and Adenosine Deaminase. The purinergic network recently emerged as a central player in several physiopathological conditions particularly those linked to immune system regulation including type 1 and type 2 diabetes.