Lack of evidence for direct phosphorylation of recombinantly expressed P2X2 and P2X3 receptors by protein kinase C

P2X3 and P2X2+3 receptors are present on sensory neurons, where they contribute not only to transient nociceptive responses, but also to hypersensitivity underlying pathological pain states elicited by nerve injuries. Increased signalling through P2X3 and P2X2+3 receptors may arise from an increased routing to the plasma membrane and/or gain of function of pre-existing receptors. An obvious effector mechanism for functional modulation is protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation, since all P2X family members share a conserved consensus sequence for PKC, TXR/K, within the intracellularly located N-terminal domain. Contradictory reports have been published regarding the exact role of this motif. In the present study, we confirm that site-directed elimination of the potential phosphor-acceptor threonine or the basic residue in the P+2 position of the TXR/K sequence accelerates desensitization of P2X2 receptors and abolishes P2X3 receptor function. Moreover, the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increased P2X3 (but not P2X2) receptor-mediated currents. Biochemically, however, we were unable to demonstrate by various experimental approaches a direct phosphorylation of wild-type P2X2 and P2X3 receptors expressed in both Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK293 cells. In conclusion, our data support the view that the TXR/K motif plays an important role in P2X function and that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate is capable of modulating some P2X receptor subtypes. The underlying mechanism, however, is unlikely to involve direct PKC-mediated P2X receptor phosphorylation.