P2Y12

In the field of molecular biology, the P2Y12 protein is a chemoreceptor for adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and is found on the cell surface of blood platelet cells.

The P2Y12 protein belongs to a group of G protein-coupled purinergic receptors and is an important regulator in blood platelet coagulation.

Clinical significance
The drug clopidogrel binds to this receptor and is marketed as a platelet anticoagulant. In an April 2006 article, a team of researchers published a study of the role of platelet-transported serotonin in liver regeneration in which this method of platelet anticoagulant therapy was used.