Regulation of endocrine system is very complex and ATP contribute to its regulation acting as extracellular messengers for purinergic receptors. There are seven mammalian P2X purinergic receptor subunits, a family of ligand-gated ion channels, which have been identified in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus, the posterior and anterior pituitary, the thyroid gland, the adrenals, the endocrine pancreas, the gonads and the placenta. The expression of functional P2X channels in these endocrine tissues and their roles are reviewed here.

Stojilkovic SS, Zemkova H: P2X receptor channels in endocrine glands.