Novel purinergic receptor

Abstract

Novel purinergic receptors are provided, having research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding there receptors, as well as expression systems for their production.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of detecting a P 2U2  receptor protein, comprising contacting a sample containing the P 2U2  receptor protein with an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which specifically binds the P 2U2  receptor protein; and 
 detecting binding of the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof to the P 2U2  receptor protein in the sample.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises cells or cell membranes comprising the P 2U2  receptor protein.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cells are recombinant cells or the cell membranes are recombinant cell membranes.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cells are naturally occurring cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cells are kidney cells.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cells are of megakaryocytic or erythrocytic origin.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is coupled to an imaging agent.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting step comprises administering the antibody or antigen binding fragment to a subject.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the administering is by systemic administration.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the systemic administration is selected from the group consisting of intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection, intraperitoneal injection, transmucosal administration, and transdermal administration.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting step comprises contacting the antibody or antigen binding fragment with the sample in vitro.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a recombinant antibody.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen binding fragment is selected from the group consisting of a Fab fragment, an Fv fragment, a F(ab′) 2  fragment, and a Fab′ fragment.