Purinergic signalling and bone remodelling

Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular nucleotides, signalling through P2 receptors, could play an important role in modulating bone cell function. ATP and other nucleotides can stimulate the formation and resorptive activity of osteoclasts (bone-destroying cells) in addition to inhibiting bone mineralisation by osteoblasts. This review discusses the current understanding of the effects of extracellular nucleotides on skeletal cells.