Stimulation of P1-purinoceptors by ATP depends partly on its conversion to AMP and adenosine and partly on direct action.

The effects of degradative enzymes and enzyme inhibitors were examined on the inhibitory actions of adenosine, AMP and ATP on atrial muscle and on the cholinergic responses of the ileum to transmural stimulation of the guinea-pig, in order to determine whether ATP responses are mediated by its breakdown products, AMP and adenosine. In both the atria and the ileum, adenosine deaminase reduced responses to ATP, although when combined with 5'-nucleotidase it had no further effect. In the atrium, the 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor, alpha,beta-methylene ADP (APCP), had no effect on its own, but prevented the potentiating effect of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA) on responses to ATP. In the ileum, EHNA had no effect, but APCP potentiated responses to ATP. The enzyme 5'-AMP deaminase was shown to have a non-specific inhibitory effect on purine responses in both preparations. It is concluded for both preparations, that (1) the inhibitory responses to ATP are partly mediated by AMP and adenosine following the ectoenzymatic breakdown of ATP, and partly mediated by ATP itself, and (2) that AMP as well as adenosine can act directly on P1-purinoceptors. It is suggested that of the two breakdown products of ATP, AMP and adenosine, a larger proportion of the response is mediated by AMP in the ileum, whereas adenosine is the major mediator in the atrium.