Adenosine receptors activate cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling in salivary gland cells

• Published in: International journal of oral biology Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 31 - 39
• Main Authors: Kang, Ji-Ah, Kim, Yoo-Bin, Lee, Sunghan, Park, Hee-Kyung, Choi, Se-Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한구강생물학회 31.03.2025
• Subjects: Cyclic AMP; Adenosine receptors; Salivary glands; G-protein-coupled receptor; Single cell transcriptome analysis
• ISSN: 1226-7155; 2287-6618
• DOI: 10.11620/IJOB.2025.50.1.31

Sympathetic innervation stimulates β-adrenergic receptors, triggering cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production and enhancing protein secretion in salivary gland cells. While cAMP signaling, in conjunction with Ca2+ signaling, is essential for salivary gland function, the identified cAMP-producing G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remains limited. Here, we report the presence of cAMP-producing adenosine receptors in salivary gland cells. By reanalyzing publicly available single-cell transcriptome datasets of human and mouse submandibular glands, we identified mRNA expression of adenosine A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors. Additionally, we confirmed that 5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), an adenosine A2B receptor agonist, increases cAMP levels in human salivary gland cells, suggesting a physiological role for adenosine A2B receptors. Our findings enhance understanding of adenosine’s regulatory function in salivary glands and highlight new avenues for research on cAMPproducing adenosine receptors.