Abstract: Receptors for purines and pyrimidines （P receptors ） could be subdivided into P1 （adenosine） receptors and P2 receptors. P2 receptors were activated preferentially by ATP、UTP and analogs, and P2 receptors subtypes were placed in two major families： P2X （ligand-gated ion channels, LGICs） and P2Y （G protein-coupled receptors, GPCRs）.Endogenous nucleotide mediate a lot of functions via cell P2 receptors In many organs, and P2 receptors have crucial mediated roles in the pathologic status of pain （such as neuropathic pain、actuepain、inflanmm-atory pain、visceral pain, and so on）.The P2X₃-like immunoreactivity and functional expression in sensory neurons and using P2X₃ receptor gene knockout and antisense oligonucleotide technologies, A-317491（a novel, selective P2X₃ antagonist）, demonstrate a crucial role of ATP and P2X₃ receptors in pain； the heteromeric P2X_2/3 receptor is also involved in pain. In addition, several subtypes of P2Y receptor are also expressed in sensory neurons. P2Y receptors might also be relative with pain.P2Y₁ and P2Y₂ receptors could generate excitability as nociception, while P2Y₆ being antinociceptive. Agonists and antagonists for P2 receptors may provide novel drugs in patho-logic status such as pain.

Key words: P2 receptor, ATP, Pain