UDP-glucose modulates gastric function through P2Y14 receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms

P2Y receptors have been reported to modulate gastrointestinal functions. The newest family member is the nucleotide-sugar receptor P2Y14. P2ry14 mRNA was detected throughout the rat gut, with the highest level being in the forestomach. We investigated the role of the receptor in stomach motility using cognate agonists and knockout (KO) mice. In rat isolated forestomach, 100 μM UDP-glucose and 100 μM UDP-galactose both increased the baseline muscle tension (BMT) by 6.2 ± 0.6 and 1.6 ± 0.6 mN ( P < 0.05, n = 3–4), respectively, and the amplitude of contractions during electrical field stimulation (EFS) by 3.7 ± 1.7 and 4.3 ± 2.5 mN ( P < 0.05, n = 3–4), respectively. In forestomach from wild-type (WT) mice, 100 μM UDP-glucose increased the BMT by 1.0 ± 0.1 mN ( P 14 receptor associated with contractility in the rodent stomach that does not lead to altered gastric emptying after receptor deletion and an ability of UDP-glucose to delay gastric emptying without involving the P2Y14 receptor.