嘌呤受体（Purinergic receptors）为一类近来才被标定的膜分子家族，与细胞内许多功能及作用有关，如血管反应力(vascular reactivity)、细胞凋亡(apoptosis)及细胞素分泌 (cytikine　secretion)。

对于胞外微作用的影响了解仍有限。 就目前所知它们能够认出胞外ATP，媒介ATP作为细胞第一传讯者。

纤维母细胞(Fibroblasts)与平滑肌细胞的有许多共同特征， 它们都能形成动脉粥状硬化的斑块。人类纤维母细胞中，这种受体对影响ATP媒介的高葡萄糖浓度反应。

Purinergic receptors, also known as purinoceptors, are a family of plasma membrane molecules that are found in almost all mammalian tissues. Within the field of purinergic signalling, these receptors have been implicated in learning and memory, locomotor and feeding behavior, and sleep. More specifically, they are involved in several cellular functions, including proliferation and migration of neural stem cells, vascular reactivity, apoptosis and cytokine secretion. These functions have not been well characterized and the effect of the extracellular microenvironment on their function is also poorly understood.