Pharmacologists are becoming more and more aware of the possibility that certain ATP analogues currently used to classify the P2-purinoceptors are dephosphorylated by ectonucleotidases. In this study, we provide evidence that in the vascular system, these purine analogues are hydrolysed by an ATP-diphosphohydrolase (ATPDase). This enzyme is known as the major plasma membrane nucleotidase of endothelial and smooth muscle ...