Objective To study the distribution of P2 Y2 receptor in spine cord, dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve in rat, and to provide the basis for clarifying the mechanism of the effect of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) on the peripheral nerve regeneration. Methods Six specimens of the spine cord, dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve from SD rats were fixed rapidly in 4% paraformaldehyde which included DEPC, imbedded by paraffin and made into ultrathin section. According to the sequence of P2 Y2 receptor’s gene, DNA needle was adopted to detect the distribution of P2 Y2 receptor by hybridization technique in section under the light microscope after theyhad been stained in NBT liquid（50 mg/ml） and BCIP liquid （75 mg/ml）. In thecontrol group, the ultrathin section was only covered with hybridism buffer solution. The result of staining was observed. ResultsHybridization in section showed that P2 Y2 receptor was distributed mainly in the anterior horn cell of spine cordgray matter and Schwann cell of the dorsal root ganglia. No P2 Y2 receptor was observed in the sciatic nerve of both groups. Conclusion P2 Y2 receptor is located mainly in the spine cord and the dorsal root ganglia. Extracellular ATP can affect the cell of spine cord, dorsal root ganglia through P2 Y2 receptor.
