The Role of the Purinergic Signaling System in the Control of Histogenesis, Homeostasis, and Pathogenesis of the Vertebrate Retina

The purinergic signaling system (PSS) occupies an exceptional position in the regulation of cellular processes, maintaining the homeostasis of the retina of vertebrates. In addition to general regularities, taxon-specific differences, genetically and metabolically determined, are manifested in the functioning of PSS in the retina. Signal cascades with the participation of PSS components can perform a dual role in the retina: they have both a damaging and protective effect, which is largely determined by the conditions of the cellular microenvironment and the molecular context. The identification of key components in the functioning of the PSS, linking it with other endogenous regulatory systems, creates prerequisites for the selection of cellular and molecular targets for neuroprotection in human retinal pathologies.