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Arias-Gaguancela O, Herrell E, Chapman KD. Ex vivo lipidomics reveal monoacylglycerols as substrates for a fatty acid amide hydrolase in the legume Medicago truncatula. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1839-1854. [PMID: 38831473 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a conserved hydrolase in eukaryotes with promiscuous activity toward a range of acylamide substrates. The native substrate repertoire for FAAH has just begun to be explored in plant systems outside the model Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we used ex vivo lipidomics to identify potential endogenous substrates for Medicago truncatula FAAH1 (MtFAAH1). We incubated recombinant MtFAAH1 with lipid mixtures extracted from M. truncatula and resolved their profiles via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data revealed that besides N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), sn-1 or sn-2 isomers of monoacylglycerols (MAGs) were substrates for MtFAAH1. Combined with in vitro and computational approaches, our data support both amidase and esterase activities for MtFAAH1. MAG-mediated hydrolysis via MtFAAH1 may be linked to biological roles that are yet to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Arias-Gaguancela
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Emily Herrell
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Kent D Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences, BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
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2
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Tellios V, Maksoud MJE, Nagra R, Jassal G, Lu WY. Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Critically Regulates the Endocannabinoid Pathway in the Murine Cerebellum During Development. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 22:1200-1215. [PMID: 36402869 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01493-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum is a major site of endocannabinoid (eCB) production and signaling. The predominant eCB within the cerebellum, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), is produced by a metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1)-initiated signaling cascade within Purkinje neurons (PNs). 2-AG retrogradely stimulates cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) located on presynaptic terminals. The activated CB1R decreases neurotransmitter release and leads to the production of nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous molecule. Recently, our group discovered that during development in mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS-/-), PNs display an excitotoxic phenotype associated with overactivated mGluR1. Considering the importance of mGluR1 in 2-AG synthesis, the present study explored the role of nNOS-derived NO in regulating the eCB pathway within the cerebella of wildtype (WT) and nNOS-/- mice at postnatal day 7 (PD7), 2 weeks (2 W), and 7 weeks (7 W). Our analysis showed that diacylglycerol lipase α, the enzyme that catalyzes 2-AG production, was elevated at early postnatal ages, and followed by elevated levels of 2-AG in nNOS-/- cerebella compared to WT. CB1R expression in nNOS-/- cerebella was upregulated at PD7 but decreased at 2 W and 7 W when compared to age-matched WT mice cerebella. Importantly, treating organotypic nNOS-/- cerebellar slice cultures with an NO-donor-attenuated CB1R levels after 7 days in vitro. In addition, expression of the eCB hydrolases fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase were significantly downregulated in nNOS-/- cerebella compared to WT cerebella at 7 W. Together, these results reveal a novel role for nNOS/NO in regulating eCB signaling in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Tellios
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Matthew J E Maksoud
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | | | - Gurneet Jassal
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Wei-Yang Lu
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Robarts Research Institute, London, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5B7, Canada.
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3
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Aretxabala X, García del Caño G, Barrondo S, López de Jesús M, González-Burguera I, Saumell-Esnaola M, Goicolea MA, Sallés J. Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Synthesis and Metabolism at Neuronal Nuclear Matrix Fractions Derived from Adult Rat Brain Cortex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043165. [PMID: 36834575 PMCID: PMC9965625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this report, we describe the kinetics characteristics of the diacylglycerol lipase-α (DGLα) located at the nuclear matrix of nuclei derived from adult cortical neurons. Thus, using high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, classical biochemical subcellular fractionation, and Western blot techniques, we demonstrate that the DGLα enzyme is located in the matrix of neuronal nuclei. Furthermore, by quantifying the 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) level by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry when 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (SAG) was exogenously added as substrate, we describe the presence of a mechanism for 2-AG production through DGLα dependent biosynthesis with an apparent Km (Kmapp) of 180 µM and a Vmax of 1.3 pmol min-1 µg-1 protein. We also examined the presence of enzymes with hydrolytic and oxygenase activities that are able to use 2-AG as substrate, and described the localization and compartmentalization of the major 2-AG degradation enzymes, namely monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), α/β-hydrolase domain 12 protein (ABHD12) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2). Of these, only ABHD12 exhibited the same distribution with respect to chromatin, lamin B1, SC-35 and NeuN as that described for DGLα. When 2-AG was exogenously added, we observed the production of arachidonic acid (AA), which was prevented by inhibitors (but not specific MGL or ABHD6 inhibitors) of the ABHD family. Overall, our results expand knowledge about the subcellular distribution of neuronal DGLα, and provide biochemical and morphological evidence to ensure that 2-AG is produced in the neuronal nuclear matrix. Thus, this work paves the way for proposing a working hypothesis about the role of 2-AG produced in neuronal nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Aretxabala
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Gontzal García del Caño
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Sergio Barrondo
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maider López de Jesús
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Imanol González-Burguera
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Miquel Saumell-Esnaola
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Aranzazu Goicolea
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Joan Sallés
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-945-013114
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The Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System in Age-Related Diseases. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102492. [PMID: 36289755 PMCID: PMC9599275 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) dynamically regulates many aspects of mammalian physiology. ECS has gained substantial interest since growing evidence suggests that it also plays a major role in several pathophysiological conditions due to its ability to modulate various underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, cannabinoids, as components of the cannabinoid system (CS), have proven beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, antioxidative, and cardioprotective effects. In this comprehensive review, we aimed to describe the complex interaction between CS and most common age-related diseases such as neuro-degenerative, oncological, skeletal, and cardiovascular disorders, together with the potential of various cannabinoids to ameliorate the progression of these disorders. Since chronic inflammation is postulated as the pillar of all the above-mentioned medical conditions, we also discuss in this paper the potential of CS to ameliorate aging-associated immune system dysregulation.
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Finn DP, Haroutounian S, Hohmann AG, Krane E, Soliman N, Rice ASC. Cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and pain: a review of preclinical studies. Pain 2021; 162:S5-S25. [PMID: 33729211 PMCID: PMC8819673 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This narrative review represents an output from the International Association for the Study of Pain's global task force on the use of cannabis, cannabinoids, and cannabis-based medicines for pain management, informed by our companion systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies in this area. Our aims in this review are (1) to describe the value of studying cannabinoids and endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system modulators in preclinical/animal models of pain; (2) to discuss both pain-related efficacy and additional pain-relevant effects (adverse and beneficial) of cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system modulators as they pertain to animal models of pathological or injury-related persistent pain; and (3) to identify important directions for future research. In service of these goals, this review (1) provides an overview of the endocannabinoid system and the pharmacology of cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system modulators, with specific relevance to animal models of pathological or injury-related persistent pain; (2) describes pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids in rodents and humans; and (3) highlights differences and discrepancies between preclinical and clinical studies in this area. Preclinical (rodent) models have advanced our understanding of the underlying sites and mechanisms of action of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in suppressing nociceptive signaling and behaviors. We conclude that substantial evidence from animal models supports the contention that cannabinoids and endocannabinoid system modulators hold considerable promise for analgesic drug development, although the challenge of translating this knowledge into clinically useful medicines is not to be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research, Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Simon Haroutounian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrea G Hohmann
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, and Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Elliot Krane
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, & Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nadia Soliman
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Andrew SC Rice
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
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Abstract
In this review, the state of the art for compounds affecting the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is described with a focus on the treatment of pain. Amongst directly acting CB receptor ligands, clinical experience with ∆9 -tetrahydracannabinol and medical cannabis in chronic non-cancer pain indicates that there are differences between the benefits perceived by patients and the at best modest effect seen in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. The reason for this difference is not known but may involve differences in the type of patients that are recruited, the study conditions that are chosen and the degree to which biases such as reporting bias are operative. Other directly acting CB receptor ligands such as biased agonists and allosteric receptor modulators have not yet reached the clinic. Amongst indirectly acting compounds targeting the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and catabolism of the eCBs anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors have been investigated clinically but were per se not useful for the treatment of pain, although they may be useful for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and cannabis use disorder. Dual-acting compounds targeting this enzyme and other targets such as cyclooxygenase-2 or transient potential vanilloid receptor 1 may be a way forward for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Fowler
- From the, Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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7
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The endocannabinoid system. Essays Biochem 2021; 64:485-499. [PMID: 32648908 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20190086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Thirty years ago, the discovery of a cannabinoid (CB) receptor that interacts with the psychoactive compound in Cannabis led to the identification of anandamide, an endogenous receptor ligand or endocannabinoid. Research on endocannabinoids has since exploded, and additional receptors along with their lipid mediators and signaling pathways continue to be revealed. Specifically, in humans, the release of endocannabinoids from membrane lipids occurs on demand and the signaling process is rapidly attenuated by the breakdown of the ligand suggesting a tight regulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Additionally, the varying distribution of CB receptors between the central nervous system and other tissues allows for the ECS to participate in a wide range of cognitive and physiological processes. Select plant-derived 'phyto'cannabinoids such as Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) bind to the CB receptors and trigger the ECS, and in the case of Δ9-THC, while it has therapeutic value, can also produce detrimental effects. Current research is aimed at the identification of additional phytocannabinoids with minimal psychotropic effects with potential for therapeutic development. Although decades of research on the ECS and its components have expanded our understanding of the mechanisms and implications of endocannabinoid signaling in mammals, it continues to evolve. Here, we provide a brief overview of the ECS and its overlap with other related lipid-mediated signaling pathways.
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Pirone A, Lazzarini G, Lenzi C, Giannessi E, Miragliotta V. Immunolocalization of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), monoglyceride lipase (MGL) and fatty-acid amide hydrolase 1 (FAAH) in the pig claustrum. J Chem Neuroanat 2020; 109:101843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2020.101843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Cooray R, Gupta V, Suphioglu C. Current Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System and Targeted THC and CBD Phytocannabinoids as Potential Therapeutics for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases: a Review. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4878-4890. [PMID: 32813239 PMCID: PMC7515854 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration leading to Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a major health burden globally. Current treatments mainly target controlling symptoms and there are no therapeutics available in clinical practice to preventing the neurodegeneration or inducing neuronal repairing. Thus, the demand of novel research for the two disorders is imperative. This literature review aims to provide a collection of published work on PD and AD and current uses of endocannabinoid system (ECS) as a potential drug target for neurodegeneration. PD is frequently treated with L-DOPA and deep brain stimulation. Recent gene modification and remodelling techniques, such as CRISPR through human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have shown promising strategy for personalised medicine. AD characterised by extracellular deposits of amyloid β-senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein commonly uses choline acetyltransferase enhancers as therapeutics. The ECS is currently being studied as PD and AD drug targets where overexpression of ECS receptors exerted neuroprotection against PD and reduced neuroinflammation in AD. The delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinoid (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoids of plant Cannabis sativa have shown neuroprotection upon PD and AD animal models yet triggered toxic effects on patients when administered directly. Therefore, understanding the precise molecular cascade following cannabinoid treatment is suggested, focusing especially on gene expression to identify drug targets for preventing and repairing neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Cooray
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
- Section of Genetics, Institute for Research & Development in Health & Social Care, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| | - V Gupta
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - C Suphioglu
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
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Pardo-García TR, Yusif-Rodriguez N, Yudowski G, Maldonado-Vlaar CS. Blockade of the endovanilloid receptor, TRPV1, and of the endocannabinoid enzyme, FAAH, within the nucleus accumbens shell elicits anxiolytic-like effects in male rats. Neurosci Lett 2020; 732:135023. [PMID: 32422166 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The functional role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) within the Nucleus Accumbens shell (NAc shell) remains unknown. Preclinical studies in rodents have reported that the ECS modulates emotional responses such as anxiety. The NAc shell has a high density of synaptically co-localized cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R) and TRPV1, suggesting a potential involvement in the modulation of anxiety. OBJECTIVES The present study aims to establish the role of ECS-TRPV1 interactions within the NAc shell and its effects on anxiety. It is hypothesized that the neurochemical regulation elicited by ECS within the NAc shell mediates anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. METHODS In this study, male Sprague Dawley rats were implanted with bilateral brain cannula targeting the NAc shell. Following recovery from surgery, animals received microinfusion pretreatments (0, 0.125, 0.5 nmol/0.4 μl) of N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), a dual blocker of the endocannabinoid-inactivating enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and a TRPV1 antagonist in the NAc shell. Following treatment, animals were tested in an elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm for a period of 5 minutes. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and their brains collected for histological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS Results showed that animals treated with AA-5-HT in a dose dependent manner spent significantly more time in the open arms than vehicle-treated animals. In addition, AA-5-HT administration induced a significant downregulation of CB1R expression in the NAc shell. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that the ECS within the NAc shell modulates anxiety-like behaviors via FAAH and CB1R activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut R Pardo-García
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus, Department of Biology, PO Box 23360, San Juan, 00931, Puerto Rico.
| | - Nadira Yusif-Rodriguez
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus, Department of Biology, PO Box 23360, San Juan, 00931, Puerto Rico.
| | - Guillermo Yudowski
- University of Puerto Rico-Medical School, Institute of Neurobiology, San Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico
| | - Carmen S Maldonado-Vlaar
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus, Department of Biology, PO Box 23360, San Juan, 00931, Puerto Rico.
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Alhouayek M, Stafberg L, Karlsson J, Bergström SH, Fowler CJ. Effects of orthotopic implantation of rat prostate tumour cells upon components of the N-acylethanolamine and monoacylglycerol signalling systems: an mRNA study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6314. [PMID: 32286386 PMCID: PMC7156441 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63198-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is good evidence that the N-acylethanolamine (NAE)/monoacylglycerol (MAG) signalling systems are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. However, it is not known how prostate tumours affect these systems in the surrounding non-malignant tissue and vice versa. In the present study we have investigated at the mRNA level 11 components of these systems (three coding for anabolic enzymes, two for NAE/MAG targets and six coding for catabolic enzymes) in rat prostate tissue following orthotopic injection of low metastatic AT1 cells and high metastatic MLL cells. The MLL tumours expressed higher levels of Napepld, coding for a key enzyme in NAE synthesis, and lower levels of Naaa, coding for the NAE hydrolytic enzyme N-acylethanolamine acid amide hydrolase than the AT1 tumours. mRNA levels of the components of the NAE/MAG signalling systems studied in the tissue surrounding the tumours were not overtly affected by the tumours. AT1 cells in culture expressed Faah, coding for the NAE hydrolytic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, at much lower levels than Naaa. However, the ability of the intact cells to hydrolyse the NAE arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) was inhibited by an inhibitor of FAAH, but not of NAAA. Treatment of the AT1 cells with interleukin-6, a cytokine known to be involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, did not affect the expression of the components of the NAE/MAG system studied. It is thus concluded that in the model system studied, the tumours show different expressions of mRNA coding for key the components of the NAE/MAG system compared to the host tissue, but that these changes are not accompanied by alterations in the non-malignant tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Alhouayek
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.,Bioanalysis and Pharmacology of Bioactive Lipids Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, B1.72.01-1200, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Linda Stafberg
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.,Apotek Hjärtat, Ringvägen 113, SE-118 60, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jessica Karlsson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Christopher J Fowler
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
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12
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Deng H, Li W. Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors: modulators for lipid metabolism in cancer malignancy, neurological and metabolic disorders. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:582-602. [PMID: 32322464 PMCID: PMC7161712 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a serine hydrolase that plays a crucial role catalysing the hydrolysis of monoglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids. It links the endocannabinoid and eicosanoid systems together by degradation of the abundant endocannabinoid 2-arachidaoylglycerol into arachidonic acid, the precursor of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. MAGL inhibitors have been considered as important agents in many therapeutic fields, including anti-nociceptive, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer. Currently, ABX-1431, a first-in-class inhibitor of MAGL, is entering clinical phase 2 studies for neurological disorders and other diseases. This review summarizes the diverse (patho)physiological roles of MAGL and will provide an overview on the development of MAGL inhibitors. Although a large number of MAGL inhibitors have been reported, novel inhibitors are still required, particularly reversible ones.
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Key Words
- 2-AG, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol
- 2-Arachidaoylglycerol
- 2-OG, 2-oleoylglycerol
- 4-NPA, 4-nitrophenylacetate
- 7-HCA, 7-hydroxycoumarinyl arachidonate
- AA, arachidonic acid
- ABHD6 and ABHD12, α/β-hydrolase 6 and 12
- ABP, activity-based probes
- ABPP, activity-based protein profiling
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- AEA, anandamide
- Arachidonic acid
- BCRP, breast cancer resistant protein
- CB1R and CB2R, cannabinoid receptors
- CC-ABPP, click chemistry activity-based protein profiling
- CFA, complete Freund's adjuvant
- CNS, central nervous system
- COX, cyclooxygenases
- CYP, cytochrome P450 proteins
- Cancer
- DAG, diacylglycerol
- DAGLs, diacylglycerol lipases
- DTT, dithiothreitol
- Drug discovery
- EAE, encephalomyelitis
- EI, enzyme–inhibitor complex
- FAAH, amide hydrolase
- FFAs, free fatty acids
- FP, fluorophosphonate
- FP-Rh, fluorophosphonate-rhodamine
- FQ, fit quality
- HFD, high-fat diet
- HFIP, hexafluoroisopropyl
- LC–MS, liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry
- LFD, low-fat diet
- MAGL, monoacylglycerol lipase
- MAGs, monoglycerides
- MS, multiple sclerosis
- Metabolic syndrome
- Monoacylglycerol lipases
- NAM, N-arachidonoyl maleimide
- NHS, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl
- Neuroinflammation
- OCT2, organic cation transporter 2
- P-gp, P-glycoprotein
- PA, phosphatidic acid
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PET, positron emission tomography
- PGE2, prostaglandin
- PGs, prostaglandins
- PK, pharmacokinetic
- PLA2G7, phospholipase A2 group VII
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- SBDD, structure-based drug design
- SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- THL, tetrahydrolipstatin
- cPLA2, cytosolic phospholipase A2
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Deng
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 28 85422197.
| | - Weimin Li
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 28 85422197.
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13
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Tripathi RKP. A perspective review on fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 188:111953. [PMID: 31945644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an important enzyme creditworthy of hydrolyzing endocannabinoids and related-amidated signalling lipids, discovery of which has pioneered novel arena of pharmacological canvasses to unwrap its curative potency in various diseased circumstances. It presents contemporary basis for understanding molecules regulating and mediating inflammatory reactions, pain, anxiety, depression, and neurodegeneration. FAAH inhibitors form vital approach for discovery of therapeutic agents that are concerned with local elevation of endocannabinoids under certain stimuli, debarring adverse/unwanted secondary effects from global activation of cannabinoid receptors by exogenous cannabimimetics. During past decades, several molecules with excellent potency developed through tailor-made approaches entered into clinical trials, but none could reach market. Hence, hunt for novel, non-toxic and selective FAAH inhibitors are on horizon. This review summarizes present perception on FAAH in conjunction with its structure, mechanism of catalysis and biological functions. It also foregrounds recent development of molecules belonging to diverse chemical classes as potential FAAH inhibitors bobbing up from in-depth chemical, mechanistic and computational studies published since 2015-November 2019, focusing on their potency. This review will assist readers to obtain rationale on FAAH as potential target for addressing various disease conditions, acquiring significant knowledge on recently established inhibitor scaffolds and their development potentials. New technologies including MD-MM simulations and 3D-QSAR studies allow mechanistic characterization of enzyme. Assessment of in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy of existing FAAH inhibitors will facilitate researchers to design novel ligands utilizing modern drug design methods. The discussions will also impose precaution in decision making process, quashing possibility of late stage failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rati Kailash Prasad Tripathi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Sushruta School of Medical and Paramedical Sciences, Assam University (A Central University), Silchar, Assam, 788011, India; Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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14
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Martin GG, Seeger DR, McIntosh AL, Milligan S, Chung S, Landrock D, Dangott LJ, Golovko MY, Murphy EJ, Kier AB, Schroeder F. Sterol Carrier Protein-2/Sterol Carrier Protein-x/Fatty Acid Binding Protein-1 Ablation Impacts Response of Brain Endocannabinoid to High-Fat Diet. Lipids 2019; 54:583-601. [PMID: 31487051 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brain endocannabinoids (EC) such as arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) primarily originate from serum arachidonic acid (ARA), whose level is regulated in part by a cytosolic ARA-binding protein, that is, liver fatty acid binding protein-1 (FABP1), not expressed in the brain. Ablation of the Fabp1 gene (LKO) increases brain AEA and 2-AG by decreasing hepatic uptake of ARA to increase serum ARA, thereby increasing ARA availability for uptake by the brain. The brain also expresses sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2), which is also a cytosolic ARA-binding protein. To further resolve the role of SCP-2 independent of FABP1, mice ablated in the Scp-2/Scp-x gene (DKO) were crossed with mice ablated in the Fabp1 gene (LKO) mice to generate triple knock out (TKO) mice. TKO impaired the ability of LKO to increase brain AEA and 2-AG. While a high-fat diet (HFD) alone increased brain AEA, TKO impaired this effect. Overall, these TKO-induced blocks were not attributable to altered expression of brain proteins in ARA uptake, AEA/2-AG synthesis, or AEA/2-AG degrading enzymes. Instead, TKO reduced serum levels of free ARA and/or total ARA and thereby decreased ARA availability for uptake to the brain and downstream synthesis of AEA and 2-AG therein. In summary, Scp-2/Scp-x gene ablation in Fabp1 null (LKO) mice antagonized the impact of LKO and HFD on brain ARA and, subsequently, EC levels. Thus, both FABP1 and SCP-2 participate in regulating the EC system in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Martin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Drew R Seeger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-9037, USA
| | - Avery L McIntosh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Sherrelle Milligan
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Sarah Chung
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Lawrence J Dangott
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2128, USA
| | - Mikhail Y Golovko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-9037, USA
| | - Eric J Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-9037, USA
| | - Ann B Kier
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4467, USA
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
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15
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Szeremeta J, Karlsson J, Alhouayek M, Fowler CJ. Low mRNA expression and activity of monoacylglycerol lipase in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2019; 142:59-67. [PMID: 30978461 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Relatively little is known about the endocannabinoid system in human neuroblastoma cell lines. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of the genes coding for the enzymes involved in the synthesis and catabolism of endocannabinoids in the SH-SY5Y cell line. The expression of MGLL, the gene coding for the 2-arachidonoylglycerol hydrolytic enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), was found to be 85 and 340 fold lower than the expression levels for the genes coding for alpha/beta-hydrolase domain containing 6 and 12 (ABHD6, ABHD12), which are alternative hydrolytic enzymes for this endocannabinoid. In comparison, mRNA levels of MGLL were 1.5 fold higher than ABHD6 and 2 fold lower than the levels of ABHD12 in DU-145 human prostate cells. In functional assays, the hydrolysis of the 2-arachidonoylglycerol homologue 2-oleoylglycerol by intact SH-SY5Y cells was partially inhibited by the ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70, but not by the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, whereas the reverse was true in DU-145 cells. The combination of JZL184 + WWL70 did, however produce a significantly greater inhibition of 2-OG hydrolysis than seen with WWL70 alone in the SH-SY5Y cells. The low MGLL expression in the SH-SY5Y cells was not due to epigenetic silencing, since levels were not affected by treatment with the methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and/or the histone acetylase inhibitor trichostatin A. The low MGLL expression in SH-SY5Y cells should be taken into account when using these cells in experiments investigating the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in models of physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janis Szeremeta
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jessica Karlsson
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mireille Alhouayek
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christopher J Fowler
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
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16
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Zou M, Li D, Li L, Wu L, Sun C. Role of the endocannabinoid system in neurological disorders. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 76:95-102. [PMID: 30858029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in infancy. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood, many studies have shown that ASD is closely related to structural and functional defects in the nervous system, especially synaptic transmission. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is an important regulatory system of the central nervous system that regulates neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in emotional and social responses and cognitive function. The relationship between eCB system and ASD has attracted increasing attention from scholars. In this review, we discuss the complex lipid signaling network of the eCB system, intracellular transport pathways, abnormal expression and association with various neurological diseases, and direct and indirect evidence for the link between eCB and ASD. Collectively, the findings to date indicate that the eCB system plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ASD and can provide new insights into potential interventions and rehabilitation strategies for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Dexin Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
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17
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Scherma M, Masia P, Satta V, Fratta W, Fadda P, Tanda G. Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:309-323. [PMID: 30050084 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide is a lipid mediator that acts as an endogenous ligand of CB1 receptors. These receptors are also the primary molecular target responsible for the pharmacological effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis sativa. Several studies demonstrate that anandamide exerts an overall modulatory effect on the brain reward circuitry. Several reports suggest its involvement in the addiction-producing actions of other abused drugs, and it can also act as a behavioral reinforcer in animal models of drug abuse. Importantly, all these effects of anandamide appear to be potentiated by pharmacological inhibition of its metabolic degradation. Enhanced brain levels of anandamide after treatment with inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the main enzyme responsible for its degradation, seem to affect the rewarding and reinforcing actions of many drugs of abuse. In this review, we will provide an overview from a preclinical perspective of the current state of knowledge regarding the behavioral pharmacology of anandamide, with a particular emphasis on its motivational/reinforcing properties. We will also discuss how modulation of anandamide levels through inhibition of enzymatic metabolic pathways could provide a basis for developing new pharmaco-therapeutic tools for the treatment of substance use disorders.
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18
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Kind L, Kursula P. Structural properties and role of the endocannabinoid lipases ABHD6 and ABHD12 in lipid signalling and disease. Amino Acids 2018; 51:151-174. [PMID: 30564946 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is an important part of both the human central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. It is involved in the regulation of various physiological and neuronal processes and has been associated with various diseases. The eCB system is a complex network composed of receptor molecules, their cannabinoid ligands, and enzymes regulating the synthesis, release, uptake, and degradation of the signalling molecules. Although the eCB system and the molecular processes of eCB signalling have been studied extensively over the past decades, the involved molecules and underlying signalling mechanisms have not been described in full detail. An example pose the two poorly characterised eCB-degrading enzymes α/β-hydrolase domain protein six (ABHD6) and ABHD12, which have been shown to hydrolyse 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-the main eCB in the CNS. We review the current knowledge about the eCB system and the role of ABHD6 and ABHD12 within this important signalling system and associated diseases. Homology modelling and multiple sequence alignments highlight the structural features of the studied enzymes and their similarities, as well as the structural basis of disease-related ABHD12 mutations. However, homologies within the ABHD family are very low, and even the closest homologues have widely varying substrate preferences. Detailed experimental analyses at the molecular level will be necessary to understand these important enzymes in full detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kind
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Petri Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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19
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Boccella S, Cristiano C, Romano R, Iannotta M, Belardo C, Farina A, Guida F, Piscitelli F, Palazzo E, Mazzitelli M, Imperatore R, Tunisi L, de Novellis V, Cristino L, Di Marzo V, Calignano A, Maione S, Luongo L. Ultra-micronized palmitoylethanolamide rescues the cognitive decline-associated loss of neural plasticity in the neuropathic mouse entorhinal cortex-dentate gyrus pathway. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:106-119. [PMID: 30266286 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is associated with cognitive deficits. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been shown to ameliorate pain and pain-related cognitive impairments by restoring glutamatergic synapses functioning in the spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve in mice. SNI reduced mechanical and thermal threshold, spatial memory and LTP at the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC)-dentate gyrus (DG) pathway. It decreased also postsynaptic density, volume and dendrite arborization of DG and increased the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 and 7 (mGluR1 and mGluR7), of the GluR1, GluR1s845 and GluR1s831 subunits of AMPA receptor and the levels of glutamate in the DG. The level of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was instead increased in the LEC. Chronic treatment with PEA, starting from when neuropathic pain was fully developed, was able to reverse mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, memory deficit and LTP in SNI wild type, but not in PPARα null, mice. PEA also restored the level of glutamate and the expression of phosphorylated GluR1 subunits, postsynaptic density and neurogenesis. Altogether, these results suggest that neuropathic pain negatively affects cognitive behavior and related LTP, glutamatergic synapse and synaptogenesis in the DG. In these conditions PEA treatment alleviates pain and cognitive impairment by restoring LTP and synaptic maladaptative changes in the LEC-DG pathway. These outcomes open new perspectives for the use of the N-acylethanolamines, such as PEA, for the treatment of neuropathic pain and its central behavioural sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Cristiano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Romano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Iannotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Belardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Farina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariacristina Mazzitelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | - Roberta Imperatore
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
| | - Lea Tunisi
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vito de Novellis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigia Cristino
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Calignano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
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20
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Martin GG, Seeger DR, McIntosh AL, Chung S, Milligan S, Landrock D, Dangott LJ, Golovko MY, Murphy EJ, Kier AB, Schroeder F. Scp-2/Scp-x ablation in Fabp1 null mice differentially impacts hepatic endocannabinoid level depending on dietary fat. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 650:93-102. [PMID: 29763591 PMCID: PMC6033332 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the hepatic endocannabinoid (EC) system and high fat diet (HFD) are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver cytosol contains high levels of two novel endocannabinoid binding proteins-liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) and sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2). While Fabp1 gene ablation significantly increases hepatic levels of arachidonic acid (ARA)-containing EC and sex-dependent response to pair-fed high fat diet (HFD), the presence of SCP-2 complicates interpretation. These issues were addressed by ablating Scp-2/Scp-x in Fabp1 null mice (TKO). In control-fed mice, TKO increased hepatic levels of arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) in both sexes. HFD impacted hepatic EC levels by decreasing AEA in TKO females and decreasing 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) in WT of both sexes. Only TKO males on HFD had increased hepatic 2-AG levels. Hepatic ARA levels were decreased in control-fed TKO of both sexes. Changes in hepatic AEA/2-AG levels were not associated with altered amounts of hepatic proteins involved in AEA/2-AG synthesis or degradation. These findings suggested that ablation of the Scp-2/Scp-x gene in Fabp1 null mice exacerbated hepatic EC accumulation and antagonized the impact of HFD on hepatic EC levels-suggesting both proteins play important roles in regulating the hepatic EC system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Martin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA.
| | - Drew R Seeger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Avery L McIntosh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA
| | - Sarah Chung
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Sherrelle Milligan
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Lawrence J Dangott
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2128, USA
| | - Mikhail Y Golovko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Eric J Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Ann B Kier
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467, USA
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA.
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Enhanced endocannabinoid tone as a potential target of pharmacotherapy. Life Sci 2018; 204:20-45. [PMID: 29729263 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in numerous pathophysiological states such as inflammatory, neurodegenerative, gastrointestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, pain, and cancer. It has been suggested that this phenomenon primarily serves an autoprotective role in inhibiting disease progression and/or diminishing signs and symptoms. Accordingly, enhancement of endogenous endocannabinoid tone by inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases. Importantly, this allows for the avoidance of unwanted psychotropic side effects that accompany exogenously administered cannabinoids. The effects of endocannabinoid metabolic pathway modulation are complex, as endocannabinoids can exert their actions directly or via numerous metabolites. The two main strategies for blocking endocannabinoid degradation are inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes and inhibition of endocannabinoid cellular uptake. To date, the most investigated compounds are inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme that degrades the endocannabinoid anandamide. However, application of FAAH inhibitors (and consequently other endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors) in medicine became questionable due to a lack of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials and serious adverse effects evoked by one specific compound. In this paper, we discuss multiple pathways of endocannabinoid metabolism, changes in endocannabinoid levels across numerous human diseases and corresponding experimental models, pharmacological strategies for enhancing endocannabinoid tone and potential therapeutic applications including multi-target drugs with additional targets outside of the endocannabinoid system (cyclooxygenase-2, cholinesterase, TRPV1, and PGF2α-EA receptors), and currently used medicines or medicinal herbs that additionally enhance endocannabinoid levels. Ultimately, further clinical and preclinical studies are warranted to develop medicines for enhancing endocannabinoid tone.
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22
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Dato FM, Maaßen A, Goldfuß B, Pietsch M. Characterization of fatty acid amide hydrolase activity by a fluorescence-based assay. Anal Biochem 2018; 546:50-57. [PMID: 29408178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is involved in many human diseases, particularly cancer, pain and inflammation as well as neurological, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, FAAH is an attractive target for the development of low-molecular-weight inhibitors as therapeutics, which requires robust assays that can be used for high-throughput screening (HTS) of compound libraries. Here, we report the development of a fluorometric assay based on FAAH's ability to effectively hydrolyze medium-chain fatty acid amides, introducing N-decanoyl-substituted 5-amino-2-methoxypyridine (D-MAP) as new amide substrate. D-MAP is cleaved by FAAH with an 8-fold larger specificity constant than the previously reported octanoyl-analog Oc-MAP (Vmax/Km of 1.09 and 0.134 mL min-1 mg-1, respectively), with both MAP derivatives possessing superior substrate properties and much increased aqueous solubility compared to the respective p-nitroaniline compounds D-pNA and Oc-pNA. The new assay with D-MAP as substrate is highly sensitive using a lower enzyme concentration (1 μg mL-1) than literature-reported fluorimetric FAAH assays. In addition, D-MAP was validated in comparison to the substrate Oc-MAP for the characterization of FAAH inhibitors by means of the reference compounds URB597 and TC-F2 and was shown to be highly suitable for HTS in both kinetic and endpoint assays (Z' factors of 0.81 and 0.78, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian M Dato
- Institute II of Pharmacology, Center of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Gleueler Str. 24, D-50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstr. 4, D-50939 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Maaßen
- Institute II of Pharmacology, Center of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Gleueler Str. 24, D-50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstr. 4, D-50939 Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Goldfuß
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstr. 4, D-50939 Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Pietsch
- Institute II of Pharmacology, Center of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Gleueler Str. 24, D-50931 Cologne, Germany.
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Circulating Endocannabinoids: From Whence Do They Come and Where are They Going? Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:155-172. [PMID: 28653665 PMCID: PMC5719092 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this review is to summarize studies in which concentrations of circulating endocannabinoids in humans have been examined in relationship to physiological measurements and pathological status. The roles of endocannabinoids in the regulation of energy intake and storage have been well studied and the data obtained consistently support the hypothesis that endocannabinoid signaling is associated with increased consumption and storage of energy. Physical exercise mobilizes endocannabinoids, which could contribute to refilling of energy stores and also to the analgesic and mood-elevating effects of exercise. Circulating concentrations of 2-arachidonoylglycerol are very significantly circadian and dysregulated when sleep is disrupted. Other conditions under which circulating endocannabinoids are altered include inflammation and pain. A second important role for endocannabinoid signaling is to restore homeostasis following stress. Circulating endocannabinoids are stress-responsive and there is evidence that their concentrations are altered in disorders associated with excessive stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Although determination of circulating endocannabinoids can provide important information about the state of endocannabinoid signaling and thus allow for hypotheses to be defined and tested, the large number of physiological factors that contribute to their circulating concentrations makes it difficult to use them in isolation as a biomarker for a specific disorder.
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Martin GG, Landrock D, Chung S, Dangott LJ, McIntosh AL, Mackie JT, Kier AB, Schroeder F. Loss of fatty acid binding protein-1 alters the hepatic endocannabinoid system response to a high-fat diet. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:2114-2126. [PMID: 28972119 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m077891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of the hepatic endocannabinoid (EC) receptor [cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1)] and arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Male mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) ad libitum also exhibit NAFLD, increased hepatic AEA, and obesity. But, preference for HFD complicates interpretation and almost nothing is known about these effects in females. These issues were addressed by pair-feeding HFD. Similarly to ad libitum-fed HFD, pair-fed HFD also increased WT male and female mouse fat tissue mass (FTM), but preferentially at the expense of lean tissue mass. In contrast, pair-fed HFD did not elicit NAFLD in WT mice regardless of sex. Concomitantly, pair-fed HFD oppositely impacted hepatic AEA, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, and/or CB1 in WT males versus females. In pair-fed HFD mice, liver FA binding protein-1 (Fabp1) gene ablation (LKO): i) exacerbated FTM in both sexes; ii) did not elicit liver neutral lipid accumulation in males and only slightly in females; iii) increased liver AEA in males, but decreased it in females; and iv) decreased CB1 only in males. Thus, pair-fed HFD selectively impacted hepatic ECs more in females, but did not elicit NAFLD in either sex. These effects were modified by LKO consistent with FABP1's ability to impact EC and FA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Martin
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Sarah Chung
- Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Lawrence J Dangott
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Avery L McIntosh
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - John T Mackie
- Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Ann B Kier
- Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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Poursharifi P, Madiraju SRM, Prentki M. Monoacylglycerol signalling and ABHD6 in health and disease. Diabetes Obes Metab 2017; 19 Suppl 1:76-89. [PMID: 28880480 DOI: 10.1111/dom.13008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism dysregulation underlies chronic pathologies such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. Besides their role in structure and energy storage, lipids are also important signalling molecules regulating multiple biological functions. Thus, understanding the precise lipid metabolism enzymatic steps that are altered in some pathological conditions is helpful for designing better treatment strategies. Several monoacylglycerol (MAG) species are only recently being recognized as signalling lipid molecules in different tissues. Recent studies indicated the importance of the ubiquitously expressed serine hydrolase α/β-hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6), which is a MAG hydrolase, in regulating signalling competent MAG in both central and peripheral tissues. The central and peripheral function of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is a 2-MAG, and its breakdown by both ABHD6 and classical MAG lipase has been well documented. ABHD6 and its substrate MAG appear to be involved in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes including insulin secretion, adipose browning, food intake, neurotransmission, autoimmune disorders, neurological and metabolic diseases as well as cancer. Diverse cellular targets such as mammalian unc13-1 (Munc13-1), PPARs, GPR119 and CB1/2 receptors, for MAG-mediated signalling processes have been proposed in different cell types. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge regarding ABHD6/MAG signalling and its possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Poursharifi
- Departments of Nutrition, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, CRCHUM, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sri Ramachandra Murthy Madiraju
- Departments of Nutrition, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, CRCHUM, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marc Prentki
- Departments of Nutrition, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, and Montreal Diabetes Research Center, CRCHUM, Montreal, Canada
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Lin L, Metherel AH, Jones PJ, Bazinet RP. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) regulates hypercapnia/ischemia-induced increases in n-acylethanolamines in mouse brain. J Neurochem 2017; 142:662-671. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
| | - Adam H. Metherel
- Department of Nutritional Sciences; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
| | - Peter J. Jones
- Department of Human Nutritional Sciences; University of Manitoba; Winnipeg Canada
| | - Richard P. Bazinet
- Department of Nutritional Sciences; University of Toronto; Toronto Canada
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Ramer R, Hinz B. Cannabinoids as Anticancer Drugs. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2017; 80:397-436. [PMID: 28826542 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system encompassing cannabinoid receptors, endogenous receptor ligands (endocannabinoids), as well as enzymes conferring the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids has emerged as a considerable target for pharmacotherapeutical approaches of numerous diseases. Besides palliative effects of cannabinoids used in cancer treatment, phytocannabinoids, synthetic agonists, as well as substances that increase endogenous endocannabinoid levels have gained interest as potential agents for systemic cancer treatment. Accordingly, cannabinoid compounds have been reported to inhibit tumor growth and spreading in numerous rodent models. The underlying mechanisms include induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest in tumor cells as well as inhibition of tumor cell invasion and angiogenic features of endothelial cells. In addition, cannabinoids have been shown to suppress epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, to enhance tumor immune surveillance, and to support chemotherapeutics' effects on drug-resistant cancer cells. However, unwanted side effects include psychoactivity and possibly pathogenic effects on liver health. Other cannabinoids such as the nonpsychoactive cannabidiol exert a comparatively good safety profile while exhibiting considerable anticancer properties. So far experience with anticarcinogenic effects of cannabinoids is confined to in vitro studies and animal models. Although a bench-to-bedside conversion remains to be established, the current knowledge suggests cannabinoid compounds to serve as a group of drugs that may offer significant advantages for patients suffering from cancer diseases. The present review summarizes the role of the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid compounds in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ramer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
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Grabner GF, Zimmermann R, Schicho R, Taschler U. Monoglyceride lipase as a drug target: At the crossroads of arachidonic acid metabolism and endocannabinoid signaling. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 175:35-46. [PMID: 28213089 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Monoglyerides (MGs) are short-lived, intermediary lipids deriving from the degradation of phospho- and neutral lipids, and monoglyceride lipase (MGL), also designated as monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), is the major enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of MGs into glycerol and fatty acids. This distinct function enables MGL to regulate a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes since both MGs and fatty acids can act as signaling lipids or precursors thereof. The most prominent MG species acting as signaling lipid is 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) which is the most abundant endogenous agonist of cannabinoid receptors in the body. Importantly, recent observations demonstrate that 2-AG represents a quantitatively important source for arachidonic acid, the precursor of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. Accordingly, MGL-mediated 2-AG degradation affects lipid signaling by cannabinoid receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. Recent genetic and pharmacological studies gave important insights into MGL's role in (patho-)physiological processes, and the enzyme is now considered as a promising drug target for a number of disorders including cancer, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the basics of MG (2-AG) metabolism and provides an overview on the therapeutic potential of MGL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot F Grabner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Zimmermann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Ulrike Taschler
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Martin GG, Landrock D, Chung S, Dangott LJ, Seeger DR, Murphy EJ, Golovko MY, Kier AB, Schroeder F. Fabp1 gene ablation inhibits high-fat diet-induced increase in brain endocannabinoids. J Neurochem 2017; 140:294-306. [PMID: 27861894 PMCID: PMC5225076 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system shifts energy balance toward storage and fat accumulation, especially in the context of diet-induced obesity. Relatively little is known about factors outside the central nervous system that may mediate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) on brain endocannabinoid levels. One candidate is the liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1), a cytosolic protein highly prevalent in liver, but not detected in brain, which facilitates hepatic clearance of fatty acids. The impact of Fabp1 gene ablation (LKO) on the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) on brain and plasma endocannabinoid levels was examined and data expressed for each parameter as the ratio of high-fat diet/control diet. In male wild-type mice, HFD markedly increased brain N-acylethanolamides, but not 2-monoacylglycerols. LKO blocked these effects of HFD in male mice. In female wild-type mice, HFD slightly decreased or did not alter these endocannabinoids as compared with male wild type. LKO did not block the HFD effects in female mice. The HFD-induced increase in brain arachidonic acid-derived arachidonoylethanolamide in males correlated with increased brain-free and total arachidonic acid. The ability of LKO to block the HFD-induced increase in brain arachidonoylethanolamide correlated with reduced ability of HFD to increase brain-free and total arachidonic acid in males. In females, brain-free and total arachidonic acid levels were much less affected by either HFD or LKO in the context of HFD. These data showed that LKO markedly diminished the impact of HFD on brain endocannabinoid levels, especially in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G. Martin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Sarah Chung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Lawrence J. Dangott
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2128
| | - Drew R. Seeger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Eric J. Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Mikhail Y. Golovko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Ann B. Kier
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
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Turcotte C, Blanchet MR, Laviolette M, Flamand N. The CB 2 receptor and its role as a regulator of inflammation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4449-4470. [PMID: 27402121 PMCID: PMC5075023 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2300-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 344] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The CB2 receptor is the peripheral receptor for cannabinoids. It is mainly expressed in immune tissues, highlighting the possibility that the endocannabinoid system has an immunomodulatory role. In this respect, the CB2 receptor was shown to modulate immune cell functions, both in cellulo and in animal models of inflammatory diseases. In this regard, numerous studies have reported that mice lacking the CB2 receptor have an exacerbated inflammatory phenotype. This suggests that therapeutic strategies aiming at modulating CB2 signaling could be promising for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Herein, we review the pharmacology of the CB2 receptor, its expression pattern, and the signaling pathways induced by its activation. We next examine the regulation of immune cell functions by the CB2 receptor and the evidence obtained from primary human cells, immortalized cell lines, and animal models of inflammation. Finally, we discuss the possible therapies targeting the CB2 receptor and the questions that remain to be addressed to determine whether this receptor could be a potential target to treat inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Turcotte
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Marie-Renée Blanchet
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Michel Laviolette
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Nicolas Flamand
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G5, Canada.
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Martin GG, Chung S, Landrock D, Landrock KK, Dangott LJ, Peng X, Kaczocha M, Murphy EJ, Kier AB, Schroeder F. Female Mice are Resistant to Fabp1 Gene Ablation-Induced Alterations in Brain Endocannabinoid Levels. Lipids 2016; 51:1007-20. [PMID: 27450559 PMCID: PMC5418128 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-016-4175-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Although liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1, L-FABP) is not detectable in the brain, Fabp1 gene ablation (LKO) markedly increases endocannabinoids (EC) in brains of male mice. Since the brain EC system of females differs significantly from that of males, it was important to determine if LKO differently impacted the brain EC system. LKO did not alter brain levels of arachidonic acid (ARA)-containing EC, i.e. arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), but decreased non-ARA-containing N-acylethanolamides (OEA, PEA) and 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG) that potentiate the actions of AEA and 2-AG. These changes in brain potentiating EC levels were not associated with: (1) a net decrease in levels of brain membrane proteins associated with fatty acid uptake and EC synthesis; (2) a net increase in brain protein levels of cytosolic EC chaperones and enzymes in EC degradation; or (3) increased brain protein levels of EC receptors (CB1, TRVP1). Instead, the reduced or opposite responsiveness of female brain EC levels to loss of FABP1 (LKO) correlated with intrinsically lower FABP1 level in livers of WT females than males. These data show that female mouse brain endocannabinoid levels were unchanged (AEA, 2-AG) or decreased (OEA, PEA, 2-OG) by complete loss of FABP1 (LKO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G Martin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Sarah Chung
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Kerstin K Landrock
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Lawrence J Dangott
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2128, USA
| | - Xiaoxue Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Martin Kaczocha
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Eric J Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-9037, USA
| | - Ann B Kier
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, USA.
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Martin GG, Chung S, Landrock D, Landrock KK, Huang H, Dangott LJ, Peng X, Kaczocha M, Seeger DR, Murphy EJ, Golovko MY, Kier AB, Schroeder F. FABP-1 gene ablation impacts brain endocannabinoid system in male mice. J Neurochem 2016; 138:407-22. [PMID: 27167970 PMCID: PMC4961623 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1, L-FABP) has high affinity for and enhances uptake of arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4, n-6) which, when esterified to phospholipids, is the requisite precursor for synthesis of endocannabinoids (EC) such as arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The brain derives most of its ARA from plasma, taking up ARA and transporting it intracellularly via cytosolic fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs 3,5, and 7) localized within the brain. In contrast, the much more prevalent cytosolic FABP1 is not detectable in the brain but is instead highly expressed in the liver. Therefore, the possibility that FABP1 outside the central nervous system may regulate brain AEA and 2-AG was examined in wild-type (WT) and FABP1 null (LKO) male mice. LKO increased brain levels of AA-containing EC (AEA, 2-AG), correlating with increased free and total ARA in brain and serum. LKO also increased brain levels of non-ARA that contain potentiating endocannabinoids (EC*) such as oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA), PEA, 2-OG, and 2-PG. Concomitantly, LKO decreased serum total ARA-containing EC, but not non-ARA endocannabinoids. LKO did not elicit these changes in the brain EC and EC* as a result of compensatory up-regulation of brain protein levels of enzymes in EC synthesis (NAPEPLD, DAGLα) or cytosolic EC chaperone proteins (FABPs 3, 5, 7, SCP-2, HSP70), or cannabinoid receptors (CB1, TRVP1). These data show for the first time that the non-CNS fatty acid-binding protein FABP1 markedly affected brain levels of both ARA-containing endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG) as well as their non-ARA potentiating endocannabinoids. Fatty acid-binding protein-1 (FABP-1) is not detectable in brain but instead is highly expressed in liver. The possibility that FABP1 outside the central nervous system may regulate brain endocannabinoids arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was examined in wild-type (WT) and FABP-1 null (LKO) male mice. LKO increased brain levels of arachidonic acid-containing endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG), correlating with increased free and total arachidonic acid in brain and serum. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 371.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory G. Martin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
| | - Sarah Chung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Danilo Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Kerstin K. Landrock
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Huan Huang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
| | - Lawrence J. Dangott
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2128
| | - Xiaoxue Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Martin Kaczocha
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Drew R. Seeger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Eric J. Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Mikhail Y. Golovko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 USA
| | - Ann B. Kier
- Department of Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4467
| | - Friedhelm Schroeder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466
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Iannotti FA, Di Marzo V, Petrosino S. Endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related mediators: Targets, metabolism and role in neurological disorders. Prog Lipid Res 2016; 62:107-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Pirone A, Cantile C, Miragliotta V, Lenzi C, Giannessi E, Cozzi B. Immunohistochemical distribution of the cannabinoid receptor 1 and fatty acid amide hydrolase in the dog claustrum. J Chem Neuroanat 2016; 74:21-7. [PMID: 26907575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECB) which exerts a neuromodulatory activity on different brain functions and plays a key role in neurogenesis. Although many studies have reported FAAH and CB1R expression in the brain of different animal species, to the best of our knowledge they have never been described in the canine claustrum. Claustrum samples, obtained from necropsy of four neurologically normal dogs, were formalin fixed for paraffin embedding. Sections were either stained for morpho-histological analysis or immunostained for CB1R and FAAH. Analysis of adjacent sections incubated with the two antisera showed a complementary labeling pattern in the claustrum, with CB1R antibody staining fibers while anti-FAAH antibody stained cell bodies and the proximal portion of dendrites; this particular anatomical relationship suggests a retrograde endocannabinoid action via CB1R. CB1R and FAAH complementary immunostaining and their cellular localization reported here provide the first anatomical evidence for existence of the ECB in the dog claustrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pirone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cantile
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carla Lenzi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Cozzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Vujic N, Schlager S, Eichmann TO, Madreiter-Sokolowski CT, Goeritzer M, Rainer S, Schauer S, Rosenberger A, Woelfler A, Doddapattar P, Zimmermann R, Hoefler G, Lass A, Graier WF, Radovic B, Kratky D. Monoglyceride lipase deficiency modulates endocannabinoid signaling and improves plaque stability in ApoE-knockout mice. Atherosclerosis 2015; 244:9-21. [PMID: 26584135 PMCID: PMC4704137 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background and aims Monoglyceride lipase (MGL) catalyzes the final step of lipolysis by degrading monoglyceride (MG) to glycerol and fatty acid. MGL also hydrolyzes and thereby deactivates 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), the most abundant endocannabinoid in the mammalian system. 2-AG acts as full agonist on cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) and CB2R, which are mainly expressed in brain and immune cells, respectively. Thus, we speculated that in the absence of MGL, increased 2-AG concentrations mediate CB2R signaling in immune cells to modulate inflammatory responses, thereby affecting the development of atherosclerosis. Methods and results We generated apolipoprotein E (ApoE)/MGL double-knockout (DKO) mice and challenged them with Western-type diet for 9 weeks. Despite systemically increased 2-AG concentrations in DKO mice, CB2R-mediated signaling remains fully functional, arguing against CB2R desensitization. We found increased plaque formation in both en face aortae (1.3-fold, p = 0.028) and aortic valve sections (1.5-fold, p = 0.0010) in DKO mice. Interestingly, DKO mice also presented reduced lipid (12%, p = 0.031) and macrophage content (18%, p = 0.061), elevated intraplaque smooth muscle staining (1.4-fold, p = 0.016) and thicker fibrous caps (1.8-fold, p = 0.0032), together with a higher ratio of collagen to necrotic core area (2.5-fold, p = 0.0003) and expanded collagen content (1.6-fold, p = 0.0007), which suggest formation of less vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment with a CB2R inverse agonist prevents these effects in DKO mice, demonstrating that the observed plaque phenotype in DKO mice originates from CB2R activation. Conclusion Loss of MGL modulates endocannabinoid signaling in CB2R-expressing cells, which concomitantly affects the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We conclude that despite larger lesion size loss of MGL improves atherosclerotic plaque stability. Thus, pharmacological MGL inhibition may be a novel intervention to reduce plaque rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemanja Vujic
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanie Schlager
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas O Eichmann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Madeleine Goeritzer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvia Rainer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvia Schauer
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Albert Woelfler
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Prakash Doddapattar
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Zimmermann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerald Hoefler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Achim Lass
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang F Graier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Branislav Radovic
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dagmar Kratky
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Promising cannabinoid-based therapies for Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms to neuroprotection. Mol Neurodegener 2015; 10:17. [PMID: 25888232 PMCID: PMC4404240 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-015-0012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slow insidious neurological disorder characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Although several recent preclinical advances have proposed to treat PD, there is hardly any clinically proved new therapeutic for its cure. Increasing evidence suggests a prominent modulatory function of the cannabinoid signaling system in the basal ganglia. Hence, use of cannabinoids as a new therapeutic target has been recommended as a promising therapy for PD. The elements of the endocannabinoid system are highly expressed in the neural circuit of basal ganglia wherein they bidirectionally interact with dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic signaling systems. As the cannabinoid signaling system undergoes a biphasic pattern of change during progression of PD, it explains the motor inhibition typically observed in patients with PD. Cannabinoid agonists such as WIN-55,212-2 have been demonstrated experimentally as neuroprotective agents in PD, with respect to their ability to suppress excitotoxicity, glial activation, and oxidative injury that causes degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Additional benefits provided by cannabinoid related compounds including CE-178253, oleoylethanolamide, nabilone and HU-210 have been reported to possess efficacy against bradykinesia and levodopa-induced dyskinesia in PD. Despite promising preclinical studies for PD, use of cannabinoids has not been studied extensively at the clinical level. In this review, we reassess the existing evidence suggesting involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the cause, symptomatology, and treatment of PD. We will try to identify future threads of research that will help in the understanding of the potential therapeutic benefits of the cannabinoid system for treating PD.
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Petrosino S, Schiano Moriello A, Cerrato S, Fusco M, Puigdemont A, De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V. The anti-inflammatory mediator palmitoylethanolamide enhances the levels of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol and potentiates its actions at TRPV1 cation channels. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 173:1154-62. [PMID: 25598150 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous congener of anandamide and potentiates its actions at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, and at transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels. The other endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), was recently suggested to act as a TRPV1 channel agonist. We investigated if PEA enhanced levels of 2-AG in vitro or in vivo and 2-AG activity at TRPV1 channels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Endogenous lipid levels were measured by LC-MS in (i) human keratinocytes incubated with PEA (10-20 μM, 40 min, 6 and 24 h, 37°C); (ii) the blood of spontaneously Ascaris suum hypersensitive beagle dogs given a single oral dose of ultramicronized PEA (30 mg·kg(-1), 1, 2, 4 and 8 h from administration); (iii) the blood of healthy volunteers given a single oral dose of micronized PEA (300 mg, 2, 4 and 6 h from administration). Effects of 2-AG at TRPV1 channels were assessed by measuring intracellular Ca(2+) in HEK-293 cells over-expressing human TRPV1 channels. KEY RESULTS PEA elevated 2-AG levels in keratinocytes (∼3-fold) and in human and canine plasma (∼2 and ∼20-fold respectively). 2-AG dose-dependently raised intracellular Ca(2+) in HEK-293-TRPV1 cells in a TRPV1-dependent manner and desensitized the cells to capsaicin. PEA only slightly enhanced 2-AG activation of TRPV1 channels, but significantly increased 2-AG-induced TRPV1 desensitization to capsaicin (IC50 from 0.75 ± 0.04 to 0.45 ± 0.02 μM, with PEA 2 μM). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These observations may explain why several effects of PEA are attenuated by cannabinoid receptor or TRPV1 channel antagonists. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Endocannabinoids. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Petrosino
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.,Epitech Group, Saccolongo, Padua, Italy
| | - Aniello Schiano Moriello
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.,Epitech Group, Saccolongo, Padua, Italy
| | - Santiago Cerrato
- Departament de Farmacología, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anna Puigdemont
- Departament de Farmacología, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luciano De Petrocellis
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
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Corcoran L, Roche M, Finn DP. The Role of the Brain's Endocannabinoid System in Pain and Its Modulation by Stress. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2015; 125:203-55. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Zelasko S, Arnold WR, Das A. Endocannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2014; 116-117:112-23. [PMID: 25461979 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid system was first uncovered following studies of the recreational drug Cannabis sativa. It is now recognized as a vital network of signaling pathways that regulate several physiological processes. Following the initial discovery of the cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2), activated by Cannabis-derived analogs, many endogenous fatty acids termed "endocannabinoids" are now known to be partial agonists of the CB receptors. At present, the most thoroughly studied endocannabinoid signaling molecules are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), which are both derived from arachidonic acid. Both AEA and 2-AG are also substrates for the eicosanoid-synthesizing pathways, namely, certain cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. In the past, research in the endocannabinoid field focused on the interaction of AEA and 2-AG with the COX and LOX enzymes, but accumulating evidence also points to the involvement of CYPs in modulating endocannabinoid signaling. The focus of this review is to explore the current understanding of CYP-mediated metabolism of endocannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Zelasko
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States
| | - William R Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States
| | - Aditi Das
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States; Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States.
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Banijamali AR, Wakefield JD, Mermerian AH, Busby RW. Metabolism and disposition of MM-433593, a selective FAAH-1 inhibitor, in monkeys. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2014; 2:e00059. [PMID: 25505606 PMCID: PMC4186420 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
MM-433593 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase-1 (FAAH-1) with potential utility as an orally administered treatment of pain, inflammation, and other disorders. In this study, we investigated the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of MM-433593 in monkeys, and compared plasma and urine metabolites of this compound to the in vitro metabolites produced by monkey hepatocytes. Intravenous administration of MM-433593 to cynomolgus monkeys produced a rapid distribution phase and slower elimination phase with a mean systemic clearance rate of 8-11 mL/min/kg. Absolute oral bioavailability was determined to be 14-21% with maximum plasma concentrations reached ∼3 h (T max) following a 10 mg/kg oral dose. The average terminal half-life of MM-433593 was 17-20 h, and there were no qualitative sex differences in the metabolite profile of MM-433593. The major site of metabolism was oxidation of the methyl group at the five position of the indole ring, which was confirmed by chromatography and mass spectrometry comparison to a synthesized authentic standard. This metabolite was further oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid and/or conjugated with sulfate, glucuronide, or glutathione. In all, 18 metabolites were found in plasma and urine. In vitro incubations of MM-433593 with monkey hepatocytes yielded 13 metabolites, all of which were found in vivo, indicating a good correlation between the in vitro and in vivo metabolism data. A comprehensive pathway for the metabolism of MM-433593 is proposed, including a plausible, five-step biotransformation for the formation of N-acetylcysteine conjugate metabolite (M18) from the hydroxylated parent (M5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali R Banijamali
- Analytical Pharmacology/Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - James D Wakefield
- Analytical Pharmacology/Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ara H Mermerian
- Medicinal Chemistry, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Robert W Busby
- Analytical Pharmacology/Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Rivera P, Arrabal S, Cifuentes M, Grondona JM, Pérez-Martín M, Rubio L, Vargas A, Serrano A, Pavón FJ, Suárez J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F. Localization of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the 2-AG synthesizing (DAGLα) and degrading (MAGL, FAAH) enzymes in cells expressing the Ca(2+)-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the adult rat hippocampus. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:56. [PMID: 25018703 PMCID: PMC4073216 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The retrograde suppression of the synaptic transmission by the endocannabinoid sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is mediated by the cannabinoid CB1 receptors and requires the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of specific 2-AG synthesizing (i.e., DAGLα) enzymes. However, the anatomical organization of the neuronal substrates that express 2-AG/CB1 signaling system-related molecules associated with selective Ca2+-binding proteins (CaBPs) is still unknown. For this purpose, we used double-label immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy for the characterization of the expression of the 2-AG/CB1 signaling system (CB1 receptor, DAGLα, MAGL, and FAAH) and the CaBPs calbindin D28k, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the rat hippocampus. CB1, DAGLα, and MAGL labeling was mainly localized in fibers and neuropil, which were differentially organized depending on the hippocampal CaBPs-expressing cells. CB+1 fiber terminals localized in all hippocampal principal cell layers were tightly attached to calbindin+ cells (granular and pyramidal neurons), and calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons. DAGLα neuropil labeling was selectively found surrounding calbindin+ principal cells in the dentate gyrus and CA1, and in the calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons in the pyramidal cell layers of the CA1/3 fields. MAGL+ terminals were only observed around CA1 calbindin+ pyramidal cells, CA1/3 calretinin+ interneurons and CA3 parvalbumin+ interneurons localized in the pyramidal cell layers. Interestingly, calbindin+ pyramidal cells expressed FAAH specifically in the CA1 field. The identification of anatomically related-neuronal substrates that expressed 2-AG/CB1 signaling system and selective CaBPs should be considered when analyzing the cannabinoid signaling associated with hippocampal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Arrabal
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Cifuentes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain ; CIBER BBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Grondona
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Margarita Pérez-Martín
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Leticia Rubio
- Departamento de Anatomía y Medicina Legal, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonia Serrano
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Pavón
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Suárez
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Laboratorio de Investigación, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga-Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (UGC Salud Mental) Málaga, Spain ; CIBER OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación Madrid, Spain
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Nithipatikom K, Endsley MP, Pfeiffer AW, Falck JR, Campbell WB. A novel activity of microsomal epoxide hydrolase: metabolism of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol. J Lipid Res 2014; 55:2093-102. [PMID: 24958911 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m051284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1, EC 3.3.2.9) is a highly abundant α/β-hydrolase enzyme that is known for its catalytical epoxide hydrolase activity. A wide range of EPHX1 functions have been demonstrated including xenobiotic metabolism; however, characterization of its endogenous substrates is limited. In this study, we present evidence that EPHX1 metabolizes the abundant endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) to free arachidonic acid (AA) and glycerol. The EPHX1 metabolism of 2-AG was demonstrated using commercially available EPHX1 microsomes as well as PC-3 cells overexpressing EPHX1. Conversely, EPHX1 siRNA markedly reduced the EPHX1 expression and 2-AG metabolism in HepG2 cells and LNCaP cells. A selective EPHX1 inhibitor, 10-hydroxystearamide, inhibited 2-AG metabolism and hydrolysis of a well-known EPHX1 substrate, cis-stilbene oxide. Among the inhibitors studied, a serine hydrolase inhibitor, methoxy-arachidonyl fluorophosphate, was the most potent inhibitor of 2-AG metabolism by EPHX1 microsomes. These results demonstrate that 2-AG is an endogenous substrate for EPHX1, a potential role of EPHX1 in the endocannabinoid signaling and a new AA biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasem Nithipatikom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Michael P Endsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Adam W Pfeiffer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - John R Falck
- Departments of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - William B Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
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Seillier A, Dominguez Aguilar D, Giuffrida A. The dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 has enhanced effects on endocannabinoid transmission and motor behavior in rats as compared to those of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 124:153-9. [PMID: 24911644 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The biological actions of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis of these lipids via fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), respectively. While several selective FAAH inhibitors have been developed and characterized in vitro and in vivo, none of the initial MAGL blockers have shown adequate potency and specificity for in vivo applications. More recently, a selective MAGL inhibitor, JZL184, has been shown to produce a long-lasting elevation of brain 2-AG, as well as cannabinoid-like behavioral responses in mice. However, its effectiveness in rats remains controversial. Indeed, although JZL184 can elicit behavioral responses that are mediated, at least in part, via activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, several reports indicate that this compound does not alter 2-AG levels in this species. In this study we compared the behavioral and neurochemical effects of JZL 184 with those of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195, and showed that systemic administration of the former can selectively elevate brain 2-AG in rats and produce motor suppression through a CB1-independent mechanism. These findings indicate that, despite its lower potency against rat MAGL, JZL184 can be used to enhance 2-AG transmission and elicit behavioral responses in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Seillier
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - David Dominguez Aguilar
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Andrea Giuffrida
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Rahman IAS, Tsuboi K, Uyama T, Ueda N. New players in the fatty acyl ethanolamide metabolism. Pharmacol Res 2014; 86:1-10. [PMID: 24747663 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acyl ethanolamides represent a class of endogenous bioactive lipid molecules and are generally referred to as N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). NAEs include palmitoylethanolamide (anti-inflammatory and analgesic substance), oleoylethanolamide (anorexic substance), and anandamide (endocannabinoid). The endogenous levels of NAEs are mainly regulated by enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis and degradation. In mammalian tissues, the major biosynthetic pathway starts from glycerophospholipids and is composed of two enzyme reactions. The first step is N-acylation of ethanolamine phospholipids catalyzed by Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase and the second step is the release of NAEs from N-acylated ethanolamine phospholipids by N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE)-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). As for the degradation of NAEs, fatty acid amide hydrolase plays the central role. However, recent studies strongly suggest the involvement of other enzymes in the NAE metabolism. These enzymes include members of the HRAS-like suppressor family (also called phospholipase A/acyltransferase family), which were originally discovered as tumor suppressors but can function as Ca(2+)-independent NAPE-forming N-acyltransferases; multiple enzymes involved in the NAPE-PLD-independent multi-step pathways to generate NAE from NAPE, which came to light by the analysis of NAPE-PLD-deficient mice; and a lysosomal NAE-hydrolyzing acid amidase as a second NAE hydrolase. These newly recognized enzymes may become the targets for the development of new therapeutic drugs. Here, we focus on recent enzymological findings in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iffat Ara Sonia Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tsuboi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Toru Uyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
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Murataeva N, Straiker A, Mackie K. Parsing the players: 2-arachidonoylglycerol synthesis and degradation in the CNS. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:1379-91. [PMID: 24102242 PMCID: PMC3954479 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The endogenous cannabinoid signalling system, composed of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade the endogenous cannabinoids, is much more complex than initially conceptualized. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannabinoid and plays a major role in CNS development and synaptic plasticity. Over the past decade, many key players in 2-AG synthesis and degradation have been identified and characterized. Most 2-AG is synthesized from membrane phospholipids via sequential activation of a phospholipase Cβ and a diacylglycerol lipase, although other pathways may contribute in specialized settings. 2-AG breakdown is more complicated with at least eight different enzymes participating. These enzymes can either degrade 2-AG into its components, arachidonic acid and glycerol, or transform 2-AG into highly bioactive signal molecules. The implications of the precise temporal and spatial control of the expression and function of these pleiotropic metabolizing enzymes have only recently come to be appreciated. In this review, we will focus on the primary organization of the synthetic and degradative pathways of 2-AG and then discuss more recent findings and their implications, with an eye towards the biological and therapeutic implications of manipulating 2-AG synthesis and metabolism. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Murataeva
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana UniversityBloomington, IN, USA
| | - A Straiker
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana UniversityBloomington, IN, USA
| | - K Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana UniversityBloomington, IN, USA
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Wenzel JM, Cheer JF. Endocannabinoid-dependent modulation of phasic dopamine signaling encodes external and internal reward-predictive cues. Front Psychiatry 2014; 5:118. [PMID: 25225488 PMCID: PMC4150350 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system plays an integral role in incentive motivation and reward seeking and a growing body of evidence identifies signal transduction at cannabinoid receptors as a critical modulator of this system. Indeed, administration of exogenous cannabinoids results in burst firing of DA neurons of the ventral tegmental area and increases extracellular DA in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Implementation of fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) confirms the ability of cannabinoids to augment DA within the NAcc on a subsecond timescale. The use of FSCV along with newly developed highly selective pharmacological compounds advances our understanding of how cannabinoids influence DA transmission and highlights a role for endocannabinoid-modulated subsecond DAergic activation in the incentive motivational properties of not only external, but also internal reward-predictive cues. For example, our laboratory has recently demonstrated that in mice responding under a fixed-interval (FI) schedule for food reinforcement, fluctuations in NAcc DA signal the principal cue predictive of reinforcer availability - time. That is, as the interval progresses, NAcc DA levels decline leading to accelerated food seeking and the resulting characteristic FI scallop pattern of responding. Importantly, administration of WIN 55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid agonist, or JZL184, an indirect cannabinoid agonist, increases DA levels during the interval and disrupts this pattern of responding. Along with a wealth of other reports, these results illustrate the role of cannabinoid receptor activation in the regulation of DA transmission and the control of temporally guided reward seeking. The current review will explore the striatal beat frequency model of interval timing as it pertains to cannabinoid signaling and propose a neurocircuitry through which this system modulates interoceptive time cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Wenzel
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA
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Hillard CJ, Liu QS. Endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology and treatment of major depressive illness. Curr Pharm Des 2014; 20:3795-811. [PMID: 24180398 PMCID: PMC4002665 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113196660735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to examine human and preclinical data that are relevant to the following hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that deficient CB1R-mediated signaling results in symptoms that mimic those seen in depression. The second hypothesis is that activation of CB1R-mediated signaling results in behavioral, endocrine and other effects that are similar to those produced by currently used antidepressants. The third hypothesis is that conventional antidepressant therapies act through enhanced CB1R mediated signaling. Together the available data indicate that activators of CB1R signaling, particularly inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, should be considered for clinical trials for the treatment of depression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology
- Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/enzymology
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Cannabis
- Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy
- Depressive Disorder, Major/etiology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endocannabinoids/genetics
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Neurogenesis/drug effects
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qing-song Liu
- Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226.
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Wolfson ML, Aisemberg J, Salazar AI, Domínguez Rubio AP, Vercelli CA, Franchi AM. Progesterone reverts LPS-reduced FAAH activity in murine peripheral blood mononuclear cells by a receptor-mediated fashion. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 381:97-105. [PMID: 23906535 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 06/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Increased anandamide concentrations are associated with pregnancy failure. Anandamide levels are regulated by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The aim of the study was to investigate the role of progesterone (P) on FAAH modulation in murine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) under septic conditions. We observed that in vivo administration of LPS to non-pregnant (NP) mice decreased FAAH activity of PBMC while in pregnant mice no changes in FAAH activity were observed. NP animals administered with P had a similar response to LPS as the pregnant animals. Also, NP mice injected with P antagonist and P showed that the effect of P on LPS-reduced FAAH activity was impaired. Furthermore, LPS produced a decrease in the ratio of PR-B/PR-A in NP animals. Our results showed that, in our model the endotoxin decreased PBMC's FAAH activity and this condition was reverted by P in a receptor-mediated fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel L Wolfson
- Laboratory of Physiopathology of Pregnancy and Labor, Center for Pharmacological and Botanical Studies, National Research Council, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Maione S, Costa B, Piscitelli F, Morera E, De Chiaro M, Comelli F, Boccella S, Guida F, Verde R, Ortar G, Di Marzo V. Piperazinyl carbamate fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors and transient receptor potential channel modulators as "dual-target" analgesics. Pharmacol Res 2013; 76:98-105. [PMID: 23911581 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We showed previously that inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an endocannabinoid degrading enzyme, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels with the same molecule, the naturally occurring N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), produces more efficacious anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic actions than the targeting of FAAH or TRPV1 alone. We also reported the synthesis of some piperazinyl carbamates as "dual" FAAH inhibitors and either antagonists at TRPV1 or agonists/desensitizers of the transient receptor potential ankyrin type-1 (TRPA1) cannel, another target for analgesic drugs. We investigated here if two such compounds, the FAAH/TRPV1 blocker OMDM198 and the FAAH inhibitor/TRPA1 agonist, OMDM202, exert anti-nociceptive actions in the formalin test of pain in mice, and through what mechanism. Both compounds inhibited the second phase of the response to formalin, the effect being maximal at 3 mg/kg, i.p. Antagonism of CB1 or CB2 receptors with AM251 or AM630 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, reversed this effect. A TRPV1 agonist, palvanil (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), also reversed the analgesic effect of OMDM198. OMDM202 action was also antagonized by a per se inactive dose of the selective TRPA1 blocker, AP-18 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by a TRPV1 antagonist. AP-18 at higher doses (0.1-0.2 mg/kg) inhibited both the first and second phase of the formalin response. The effects of OMDM198 and OMDM202 were accompanied by elevation of anandamide levels in the spinal cord. OMDM198 (0.1-5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) also reversed carrageenan-induced oedema and thermal hyperalgesia in mice with efficacy similar to that of AA-5-HT. These data suggest that "dual" fatty acid amide hydrolase and transient receptor potential channel modulators should be clinically evaluated as novel analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabatino Maione
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Department of Experimental Medicine - Division of Pharmacology 'L. Donatelli', Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Siegmund SV, Wojtalla A, Schlosser M, Zimmer A, Singer MV. Fatty acid amide hydrolase but not monoacyl glycerol lipase controls cell death induced by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in hepatic cell populations. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 437:48-54. [PMID: 23806692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoids anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are upregulated during liver fibrogenesis and selectively induce cell death in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the major fibrogenic cells in the liver, but not in hepatocytes. In contrast to HSCs, hepatocytes highly express the AEA-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) that protects them from AEA-induced injury. However, the role of the major 2-AG-degrading enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) in 2-AG-induced hepatic cell death has not been investigated. In contrast to FAAH, MGL protein expression did not significantly differ in primary mouse hepatocytes and HSCs. Hepatocytes pretreated with selective MGL inhibitors were not sensitized towards 2-AG-mediated death, indicating a minor role for MGL in the cellular resistance against 2-AG. Moreover, while adenoviral MGL overexpression failed to render HSCs resistant towards 2-AG, FAAH overexpression prevented 2-AG-induced death in HSCs. Accordingly, 2-AG caused cell death in hepatocytes pretreated with the FAAH inhibitor URB597, FAAH(-/-) hepatocytes, or hepatocytes depleted of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Moreover, 2-AG increased reactive oxygen species production in hepatocytes after FAAH inhibition, indicating that hepatocytes are more resistant to 2-AG treatment due to high GSH levels and FAAH expression. However, 2-AG was not significantly elevated in FAAH(-/-) mouse livers in contrast to AEA. Thus, FAAH exerts important protective actions against 2-AG-induced cellular damage, even though it is not the major 2-AG degradation enzyme in vivo. In conclusion, FAAH-mediated resistance of hepatocytes against endocannabinoid-induced cell death may provide a new physiological concept allowing the specific targeting of HSCs in liver fibrosis.
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