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Rodriguez-Sanchez IP, Guindon J, Ruiz M, Tejero ME, Hubbard G, Martinez-de-Villarreal LE, Barrera-Saldaña HA, Dick EJ, Comuzzie AG, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch NE. The endocannabinoid system in the baboon (Papio spp.) as a complex framework for developmental pharmacology. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016; 58:23-30. [PMID: 27327781 PMCID: PMC5897907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The consumption of marijuana (exogenous cannabinoid) almost doubled in adults during last decade. Consumption of exogenous cannabinoids interferes with the endogenous cannabinoid (or "endocannabinoid" (eCB)) system (ECS), which comprises N-arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), endocannabinoid receptors (cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1R and CB2R), encoded by CNR1 and CNR2, respectively), and synthesizing/degrading enzymes (FAAH, fatty-acid amide hydrolase; MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase; DAGL-α, diacylglycerol lipase-alpha). Reports regarding the toxic and therapeutic effects of pharmacological compounds targeting the ECS are sometimes contradictory. This may be caused by the fact that structure of the eCBs varies in the species studied. OBJECTIVES First: to clone and characterize the cDNAs of selected members of ECS in a non-human primate (baboon, Papio spp.), and second: to compare those cDNA sequences to known human structural variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes). MATERIALS AND METHODS Polymerase chain reaction-amplified gene products from baboon tissues were transformed into Escherichia coli. Amplicon-positive clones were sequenced, and the obtained sequences were conceptually translated into amino-acid sequences using the genetic code. RESULTS Among the ECS members, CNR1 was the best conserved gene between humans and baboons. The phenotypes associated with mutations in the untranslated regions of this gene in humans have not been described in baboons. One difference in the structure of CNR2 between humans and baboons was detected in the region with the only known clinically relevant polymorphism in a human receptor. All of the differences in the amino-acid structure of DAGL-α between humans and baboons were located in the hydroxylase domain, close to phosphorylation sites. None of the differences in the amino-acid structure of MAGL observed between baboons and humans were located in the area critical for enzyme function. CONCLUSION The evaluation of the data, obtained in non-human primate model of cannabis-related developmental exposure should take into consideration possible evolutionary-determined species-specific differences in the CB1R expression, CB2R transduction pathway, and FAAH and DAGLα substrate-enzyme interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iram P Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Genética, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Josee Guindon
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Marco Ruiz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Tejero
- Laboratorio de Nutrigenética y Nutrigenómica, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica (INMEGEN), México, D.F., Mexico
| | - Gene Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Hugo A Barrera-Saldaña
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Edward J Dick
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Anthony G Comuzzie
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Yuan D, Wu Z, Wang Y. Evolution of the diacylglycerol lipases. Prog Lipid Res 2016; 64:85-97. [PMID: 27568643 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol lipases (DGLs) mainly catalyze "on-demand" biosynthesis of bioactive monoacylglycerols (MAGs) with different long fatty acyl chains, including 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), 2-linoleoylglycerol (2-LG), 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG) and 2-palmitoylglycerol (2-PG). Enzymatic characterization of DGLs, their expression and distribution, and functional features has been elucidated from microorganisms to mammals in some extent. In mammals, biosynthesis, degradation and metabolism of these bioactive lipids intertwine and form a complicated biochemical pathway to affect the mammal neuromodulation of central nervous system and also other physiological processes in most peripheral organs and non-nervous tissue cells, and yet we still do not know if the neuromodulatory role of mammal DGL and MAGs is similar to invertebrates. Tracing the evolutionary history of DGLs from microorganisms to vertebrates will be an essential method to infer DGL and MAG research in organisms. In this review, we give an exhaustive explanation of the ancestral origin, divergence and evolutionary pattern through systemic searching of DGL orthologs in different species. Finally, we also summarize our recent work on the structural and functional studies of DGL in order to explore usage of DGLs in industry and the development of inhibitors for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjuan Yuan
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China; College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghua Wang
- College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China.
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Stevens CW. Bioinformatics and evolution of vertebrate nociceptin and opioid receptors. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2015; 97:57-94. [PMID: 25677768 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are ancestrally related membrane proteins on cells that mediate the pharmacological effect of most drugs and neurotransmitters. GPCRs are the largest group of membrane receptor proteins encoded in the human genome. One of the most famous types of GPCRs is the opioid receptors. Opioid family receptors consist of four closely related proteins expressed in all vertebrate brains and spinal cords examined to date. The three classical types of opioid receptors shown unequivocally to mediate analgesia in animal models and in humans are the mu- (MOR), delta- (DOR), and kappa-(KOR) opioid receptor proteins. The fourth and most recent member of the opioid receptor family discovered is the nociceptin or orphanin FQ receptor (ORL). The role of ORL and its ligands in producing analgesia is not as clear, with both analgesic and hyperalgesic effects reported. All four opioid family receptor genes were cloned from expressed mRNA in a number of vertebrate species, and there are enough sequences presently available to carry out bioinformatic analysis. This chapter presents the results of a comparative analysis of vertebrate opioid receptors using pharmacological studies, bioinformatics, and the latest data from human whole-genome studies. Results confirm our initial hypotheses that the four opioid receptor genes most likely arose by whole-genome duplication, that there is an evolutionary vector of opioid receptor type divergence in sequence and function, and that the hMOR gene shows evidence of positive selection or adaptive evolution in Homo sapiens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
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Bottini N, Peterson EJ. Tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22: multifunctional regulator of immune signaling, development, and disease. Annu Rev Immunol 2013; 32:83-119. [PMID: 24364806 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inheritance of a coding variant of the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene is associated with increased susceptibility to autoimmunity and infection. Efforts to elucidate the mechanisms by which the PTPN22-C1858T variant modulates disease risk revealed that PTPN22 performs a signaling function in multiple biochemical pathways and cell types. Capable of both enzymatic activity and adaptor functions, PTPN22 modulates signaling through antigen and innate immune receptors. PTPN22 plays roles in lymphocyte development and activation, establishment of tolerance, and innate immune cell-mediated host defense and immunoregulation. The disease-associated PTPN22-R620W variant protein is likely involved in multiple stages of the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Establishment of a tolerant B cell repertoire is disrupted by PTPN22-R620W action during immature B cell selection, and PTPN22-R620W alters mature T cell responsiveness. However, after autoimmune attack has initiated tissue injury, PTPN22-R620W may foster inflammation through modulating the balance of myeloid cell-produced cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Bottini
- Division of Cellular Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037;
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Vasileiou I, Fotopoulou G, Matzourani M, Patsouris E, Theocharis S. Evidence for the involvement of cannabinoid receptors' polymorphisms in the pathophysiology of human diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2013; 17:363-77. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.754426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Burn GL, Svensson L, Sanchez-Blanco C, Saini M, Cope AP. Why is PTPN22 a good candidate susceptibility gene for autoimmune disease? FEBS Lett 2011; 585:3689-98. [PMID: 21515266 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The PTPN22 locus is one of the strongest risk factors outside of the major histocompatability complex that associates with autoimmune diseases. PTPN22 encodes lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase (Lyp) which is expressed exclusively in immune cells. A single base change in the coding region of this gene resulting in an arginine to tryptophan amino acid substitution within a polyproline binding motif associates with type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, Hashimotos thyroiditis, Graves disease, Addison's disease, Myasthenia Gravis, vitiligo, systemic sclerosis juvenile idiopathic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Here, we review the current understanding of the PTPN22 locus from a genetic, geographical, biochemical and functional perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garth L Burn
- Academic Department of Rheumatology, Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Disease, King's College School of Medicine, King's College London, UK.
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Stanford SM, Mustelin TM, Bottini N. Lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase and autoimmunity: human genetics rediscovers tyrosine phosphatases. Semin Immunopathol 2010; 32:127-36. [PMID: 20204370 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-010-0201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A relatively large number of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are known to regulate signaling through the T cell receptor (TCR). Recent human genetics studies have shown that several of these PTPs are encoded by major autoimmunity genes. Here, we will focus on the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP), a critical negative modulator of TCR signaling encoded by the PTPN22 gene. The functional analysis of autoimmune-associated PTPN22 genetic variants suggests that genetic variability of TCR signal transduction contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Stanford
- Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Buznikov G, Nikitina L, Bezuglov V, Francisco M, Boysen G, Obispo-Peak I, Peterson R, Weiss E, Schuel H, Temple B, Morrow A, Lauder J. A putative 'pre-nervous' endocannabinoid system in early echinoderm development. Dev Neurosci 2010; 32:1-18. [PMID: 19907129 PMCID: PMC2866581 DOI: 10.1159/000235758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryos and larvae of sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Dendraster excentricus), and starfish (Pisaster ochraceus) were investigated for the presence of a functional endocannabinoid system. Anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide, AEA), was measured in early L. variegatus embryos by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. AEA showed a strong developmental dynamic, increasing more than 5-fold between the 8-16 cell and mid-blastula 2 stage. 'Perturb-and-rescue' experiments in different sea urchin species and starfish showed that AEA blocked transition of embryos from the blastula to the gastrula stage, but had no effect on cleavage divisions, even at high doses. The non-selective cannabinoid receptor agonist, CP55940, had similar effects, but unlike AEA, also blocked cleavage divisions. CB1 antagonists, AEA transport inhibitors, and the cation channel transient membrane potential receptor V1 (TrpV1) agonist, arachidonoyl vanillic acid (arvanil), as well as arachidonoyl serotonin and dopamine (AA-5-HT, AA-DA) acted as rescue substances, partially or totally preventing abnormal embryonic phenotypes elicited by AEA or CP55940. Radioligand binding of [(3)H]CP55940 to membrane preparations from embryos/larvae failed to show significant binding, consistent with the lack of CB receptor orthologs in the sea urchin genome. However, when binding was conducted on whole cell lysates, a small amount of [(3)H]CP55940 binding was observed at the pluteus stage that was displaced by the CB2 antagonist, SR144528. Since AEA is known to bind with high affinity to TrpV1 and to certain G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the ability of arvanil, AA-5-HT and AA-DA to rescue embryos from AEA teratogenesis suggests that in sea urchins AEA and other endocannabinoids may utilize both Trp and GPCR orthologs. This possibility was explored using bioinformatic and phylogenetic tools to identify candidate orthologs in the S. purpuratus sea urchin genome. Candidate TrpA1 and TrpV1 orthologs were identified. The TrpA1 ortholog fell within a monophyletic clade, including both vertebrate and invertebrate orthologs, whereas the TrpV1 orthologs fell within two distinct TrpV-like invertebrate clades. One of the sea urchin TrpV orthologs was more closely related to the vertebrate epithelial calcium channels (TrpV5-6 family) than to the vertebrate TrpV1-4 family, as determined using profile-hidden Markov model (HMM) searches. Candidate dopamine and adrenergic GPCR orthologs were identified in the sea urchin genome, but no cannabinoid GPCRs were found, consistent with earlier studies. Candidate dopamine D(1), D(2) or alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor orthologs were identified as potential progenitors to the vertebrate cannabinoid receptors using HMM searches, depending on whether the multiple sequence alignment of CB receptor sequences consisted only of urochordate and cephalochordate sequences or also included vertebrate sequences.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arachidonic Acids/metabolism
- Arachidonic Acids/pharmacology
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Computational Biology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Endocannabinoids
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
- Nerve Net/drug effects
- Nerve Net/embryology
- Nerve Net/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/metabolism
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/pharmacology
- Radioligand Assay
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Sea Urchins/drug effects
- Sea Urchins/embryology
- Sea Urchins/metabolism
- Starfish/drug effects
- Starfish/embryology
- Starfish/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- G.A. Buznikov
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, (UNCSM)
| | - L.A. Nikitina
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, (UNCSM)
| | - V.V. Bezuglov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - G. Boysen
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Center of Environmental Health and Susceptibility, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., USA
| | | | - R.E. Peterson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, (UNCSM)
- Confocal Imaging Core, Neuroscience Center, UNCSM
| | - E.R. Weiss
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, (UNCSM)
| | - H. Schuel
- Division of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y., USA
| | - B.R.S Temple
- R.L. Juliano Structural Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., USA
| | - A.L. Morrow
- Department of Psychiatry and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine (UNCSM)
| | - J.M. Lauder
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, (UNCSM)
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Liu QR, Pan CH, Hishimoto A, Li CY, Xi ZX, Llorente-Berzal A, Viveros MP, Ishiguro H, Arinami T, Onaivi ES, Uhl GR. Species differences in cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2 gene): identification of novel human and rodent CB2 isoforms, differential tissue expression and regulation by cannabinoid receptor ligands. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2009; 8:519-30. [PMID: 19496827 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2009.00498.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and marijuana activate two well-characterized cannabinoid receptors (CB-Rs), CB1-Rs and CB2-Rs. The expression of CB1-Rs in the brain and periphery has been well studied, but neuronal CB2-Rs have received much less attention than CB1-Rs. Many studies have now identified and characterized functional glial and neuronal CB2-Rs in the central nervous system. However, many features of CB2-R gene structure, regulation and variation remain poorly characterized in comparison with the CB1-R. In this study, we report on the discovery of a novel human CB2 gene promoter transcribing testis (CB2A) isoform with starting exon located ca 45 kb upstream from the previously identified promoter transcribing the spleen isoform (CB2B). The 5' exons of both CB2 isoforms are untranslated 5'UTRs and alternatively spliced to the major protein coding exon of the CB2 gene. CB2A is expressed higher in testis and brain than CB2B that is expressed higher in other peripheral tissues than CB2A. Species comparison found that the CB2 gene of human, rat and mouse genomes deviated in their gene structures and isoform expression patterns. mCB2A expression was increased significantly in the cerebellum of mice treated with the CB-R mixed agonist, WIN55212-2. These results provide much improved information about CB2 gene structure and its human and rodent variants that should be considered in developing CB2-R-based therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q-R Liu
- Mol. Neurobiol. Branch, NIDA-IRP, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Orrú V, Tsai SJ, Rueda B, Fiorillo E, Stanford SM, Dasgupta J, Hartiala J, Zhao L, Ortego-Centeno N, D’Alfonso S, Arnett FC, Wu H, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Tsao BP, Pons-Estel B, Alarcon-Riquelme ME, He Y, Zhang ZY, Allayee H, Chen XS, Martin J, Bottini N. A loss-of-function variant of PTPN22 is associated with reduced risk of systemic lupus erythematosus. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:569-79. [PMID: 18981062 PMCID: PMC2722189 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A gain-of-function R620W polymorphism in the PTPN22 gene, encoding the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase LYP, has recently emerged as an important risk factor for human autoimmunity. Here we report that another missense substitution (R263Q) within the catalytic domain of LYP leads to reduced phosphatase activity. High-resolution structural analysis revealed the molecular basis for this loss of function. Furthermore, the Q263 variant conferred protection against human systemic lupus erythematosus, reinforcing the proposal that inhibition of LYP activity could be beneficial in human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Orrú
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
| | - Sophia J. Tsai
- Molecular and Computational Biology andUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Blanca Rueda
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina ‘Lopez-Neyra’, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | - Jhimli Dasgupta
- Molecular and Computational Biology andUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jaana Hartiala
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033
| | - Lei Zhao
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
| | | | - Sandra D’Alfonso
- Department of Medical Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Frank C. Arnett
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hui Wu
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Betty P. Tsao
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Yantao He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hooman Allayee
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 9033
| | - Xiaojiang S. Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology andUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Javier Martin
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina ‘Lopez-Neyra’, CSIC, Granada, Spain
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Abstract
The proteins that mediate the analgesic and other effects of opioid drugs and endogenous opioid peptides are known as opioid receptors. Opioid receptors consist of a family of four closely-related proteins belonging to the large superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. The three types of opioid receptors shown unequivocally to mediate analgesia in animal models are the mu (MOR), delta (DOR), and kappa (KOR) opioid receptor proteins. The role of the fourth member of the opioid receptor family, the nociceptin or orphanin FQ receptor (ORL), is not as clear as hyperalgesia, analgesia, and no effect was reported after administration of ORL agonists. There are now cDNA sequences for all four types of opioid receptors that are expressed in the brain of six species from three different classes of vertebrates. This review presents a comparative analysis of vertebrate opioid receptors using bioinformatics and data from recent human genome studies. Results indicate that opioid receptors arose by gene duplication, that there is a vector of opioid receptor divergence, and that MOR shows evidence of rapid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
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Expression of the endocannabinoid system in fibroblasts and myofascial tissues. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2008; 12:169-82. [PMID: 19083670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2007] [Revised: 12/29/2007] [Accepted: 01/08/2008] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, like the better-known endorphin system, consists of cell membrane receptors, endogenous ligands and ligand-metabolizing enzymes. Two cannabinoid receptors are known: CB(1) is principally located in the nervous system, whereas CB(2) is primarily associated with the immune system. Two eCB ligands, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are mimicked by cannabis plant compounds. The first purpose of this paper was to review the eCB system in detail, highlighting aspects of interest to bodyworkers, especially eCB modulation of pain and inflammation. Evidence suggests the eCB system may help resolve myofascial trigger points and relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, expression of the eCB system in myofascial tissues has not been established. The second purpose of this paper was to investigate the eCB system in fibroblasts and other fascia-related cells. The investigation used a bioinformatics approach, obtaining microarray data via the GEO database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/). GEO data mining revealed that fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, chondrocytes and synoviocytes expressed CB(1), CB(2) and eCB ligand-metabolizing enzymes. Fibroblast CB(1) levels nearly equalled levels expressed by adipocytes. CB(1) levels upregulated after exposure to inflammatory cytokines and equiaxial stretching of fibroblasts. The eCB system affects fibroblast remodeling through lipid rafts associated with focal adhesions and dampens cartilage destruction by decreasing fibroblast-secreted metalloproteinase enzymes. In conclusion, the eCB system helps shape biodynamic embryological development, diminishes nociception and pain, reduces inflammation in myofascial tissues and plays a role in fascial reorganization. Practitioners wield several tools that upregulate eCB activity, including myofascial manipulation, diet and lifestyle modifications, and pharmaceutical approaches.
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