P2X purinoceptor 7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the P2RX7 gene.The product of this gene belongs to the family of purinoceptors for ATP. Multiple alternatively spliced variants which would encode different isoforms have been identified although some fit nonsense-mediated decay criteria.The receptor is found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, in microglia, in macrophages, in uterine endometrium, and in the retina. The P2X7 receptor also serves as a pattern recognition receptor for extracellular ATP-mediated apoptotic cell death,regulation of receptor trafficking, mast cell degranulation, and inflammation. Receptor for ATP that acts as a ligand-gated ion channel. Responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of macrophages through the formation of membrane pores permeable to large molecules. Could function in both fast synaptic transmission and the ATP-mediated lysis of antigen-presenting cells. In the absence of its natural ligand, ATP, functions as a scavenger receptor in the recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells