A novel nucleotide receptor in Xenopus activates the cAMP second messenger pathway

We describe a Xenopus P2Y receptor that shares only weak homology with members of the mammalian P2Y family, being most similar to human P2Y11. When activated by nucleotide analogs, it stimulates both calcium and cAMP mobilization pathways, a feature unique, among mammalian P2Y receptors, to P2Y11. Activity can be blocked by compounds known to act as antagonists of mammalian P2Y11. Genomic synteny between Xenopus and mammals suggests that the novel gene is a true ortholog of P2Y11. Xenopus P2Y11 is transcribed during embryonic development, beginning at gastrulation, and is enriched in the developing nervous system.