1
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Rudt E, Schneider S, Hayen H. Hyphenation of Liquid Chromatography and Trapped Ion Mobility - Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Isomeric Phosphatidylethanolamines with Focus on N-Acylated Species. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:1584-1593. [PMID: 38842006 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
In prior research, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) has demonstrated applicability for characterizing regioisomers in lipidomics studies, including phosphatidylglycerols (PG) and bis(monoacyl)glycerophosphates (BMP). However, there are other lipid regioisomers, such as phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) and lyso-N-acyl-PE (LNAPE), that have not been studied as extensively. Therefore, hyphenated mass spectrometric methods are needed to investigate PE and LNAPE regioisomers individually. The asymmetric structure of LNAPE favors isomeric species, which can result in coelution and chimeric MS/MS spectra. One way to address the challenge of chimeric MS/MS spectra is through mobility-resolved fragmentation using trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS). Therefore, we developed a multidimensional HILIC-TIMS-MS/MS approach for the structural characterization of isomeric phosphatidylethanolamines in both negative and positive ionization modes. The study revealed the complementary fragmentation pattern and ion mobility behavior of LNAPE in both ionization modes, which was confirmed by a self-synthesized LNAPE standard. With this knowledge, a distinction of regioisomeric PE and LNAPE was achieved in human plasma samples. Furthermore, regioisomeric LNAPE species containing at least one unsaturated fatty acid were noted to exhibit a change in collision cross-section in positive ionization mode, leading to a lipid characterization with respect to fatty acyl positional level. Similar mobility behavior was also observed for the biological LNAPE precursor N-acyl-PE (NAPE). Application of this approach to plasma and cereal samples demonstrated its effectiveness in regioisomeric LNAPE and NAPE species' elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Rudt
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Svenja Schneider
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Heiko Hayen
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster 48149, Germany
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2
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Mock ED, Gagestein B, van der Stelt M. Anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines: A class of signaling lipids with therapeutic opportunities. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 89:101194. [PMID: 36150527 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA, anandamide), N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) and their oxygenated metabolites are a lipid messenger family with numerous functions in health and disease, including inflammation, anxiety and energy metabolism. The NAEs exert their signaling role through activation of various G protein-coupled receptors (cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, GPR55, GPR110, GPR119), ion channels (TRPV1) and nuclear receptors (PPAR-α and PPAR-γ) in the brain and periphery. The biological role of the oxygenated NAEs, such as prostamides, hydroxylated anandamide and DHEA derivatives, are less studied. Evidence is accumulating that NAEs and their oxidative metabolites may be aberrantly regulated or are associated with disease severity in obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, neuroinflammation and liver cirrhosis. Here, we comprehensively review NAE biosynthesis and degradation, their metabolism by lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases and cytochrome P450s and the biological functions of these signaling lipids. We discuss the latest findings and therapeutic potential of modulating endogenous NAE levels by inhibition of their degradation, which is currently under clinical evaluation for neuropsychiatric disorders. We also highlight NAE biosynthesis inhibition as an emerging topic with therapeutic opportunities in endocannabinoid and NAE signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot D Mock
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Berend Gagestein
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University and Oncode Institute, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands.
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3
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Rahman SMK, Hussain Z, Morito K, Takahashi N, Sikder MM, Tanaka T, Ohta KI, Ueno M, Takahashi H, Yamamoto T, Murakami M, Uyama T, Ueda N. Formation of N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamines by cytosolic phospholipase A 2ε in an ex vivo murine model of brain ischemia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2022; 1867:159222. [PMID: 35988872 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2022.159222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
N-Acyl-phosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs), a minor class of membrane glycerophospholipids, accumulate along with their bioactive metabolites, N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) during ischemia. NAPEs can be formed through N-acylation of phosphatidylethanolamine by cytosolic phospholipase A2ε (cPLA2ε, also known as PLA2G4E) or members of the phospholipase A and acyltransferase (PLAAT) family. However, the enzyme responsible for the NAPE production in brain ischemia has not yet been clarified. Here, we investigated a possible role of cPLA2ε using cPLA2ε-deficient (Pla2g4e-/-) mice. As analyzed with brain homogenates of wild-type mice, the age dependency of Ca2+-dependent NAPE-forming activity showed a bell-shape pattern being the highest at the first week of postnatal life, and the activity was completely abolished in Pla2g4e-/- mice. However, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that the NAPE levels of normal brain were similar between wild-type and Pla2g4e-/- mice. In contrast, post-mortal accumulations of NAPEs and most species of NAEs were only observed in decapitated brains of wild-type mice. These results suggested that cPLA2ε is responsible for Ca2+-dependent formation of NAPEs in the brain as well as the accumulation of NAPEs and NAEs during ischemia, while other enzyme(s) appeared to be involved in the maintenance of basal NAPE levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Khaledur Rahman
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Zahir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan; Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Katsuya Morito
- Department of Environmental Biochemistry, Division of Biological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoko Takahashi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Tamotsu Tanaka
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Ohta
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Masaki Ueno
- Department of Pathology and Host Defense, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroo Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Tohru Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Murakami
- Laboratory of Microenvironmental and Metabolic Health Science, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Uyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan.
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan.
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4
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Duncan RS, Riordan SM, Hall CW, Payne AJ, Chapman KD, Koulen P. N-acylethanolamide metabolizing enzymes are upregulated in human neural progenitor-derived neurons exposed to sub-lethal oxidative stress. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:902278. [PMID: 36003139 PMCID: PMC9393304 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.902278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
N-acyl amides (NAAs) are a class of lipids that consist of an acyl group N-linked to an amino acid, neurotransmitter, taurine or ethanolamide group (N-acylethanolamines or NAEs) and include some endocannabinoids (eCB) such as anandamide. These lipids are synthesized in a wide variety of organisms and in multiple cell types, including neurons. NAEs are involved in numerous cellular and physiological processes and their concentrations are elevated in response to ischemia and physical trauma to play a role in neuroprotection. The neuroprotective properties of eCB NAEs make the protein targets of these compounds attractive targets for clinical intervention for a variety of conditions. The most promising of these targets include cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA), and N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). Further characterization of these targets in a more contemporary model system of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection will allow us to fully describe their role and mechanism of action in neuroprotection against oxidative stress leading to better utilization in the clinical setting. Human stem cell-derived or human neural progenitor cell-derived cells, such as ReN cells, have become more utilized for the study of human neuronal development and neurodegenerative diseases. ReN cells can be easily differentiated thereby circumventing the need for using transformed cell lines and primary neurons as cell model systems. In this study, we determined whether ReN cells, a superior cell model system for studying neurodevelopment, differentiation, and neuroprotection, express proteins involved in canonical eCB NAE signaling and whether oxidative stress can induce their expression. We determined that sublethal oxidative stress upregulates the expression of all eCB proteins tested. In addition, we determined that oxidative stress increases the nuclear localization of FAAH, and to a lesser extent, NAAA and NAPE-PLD. This study is a first step toward determining how oxidative stress affects CB1, CB2, FAAH, NAAA, and NAPE-PLD expression and their potential defense against oxidative stress. As such, our data is important for further determining the role of eCB metabolizing proteins and eCB receptors against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Scott Duncan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Sean M. Riordan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Conner W. Hall
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Payne
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Kent D. Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Plant Lipid Research, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Peter Koulen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Plant Lipid Research, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Peter Koulen,
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5
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Palese F, Pontis S, Realini N, Piomelli D. A protective role for N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D in 6-OHDA-induced neurodegeneration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15927. [PMID: 31685899 PMCID: PMC6828692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51799-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) catalyzes the cleavage of membrane NAPEs into bioactive fatty-acid ethanolamides (FAEs). Along with this precursor role, NAPEs might also serve autonomous signaling functions. Here, we report that injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the mouse striatum cause a local increase in NAPE and FAE levels, which precedes neuronal cell death. NAPE, but not FAE, accumulation is enhanced in mice lacking NAPE-PLD, which display a substantial reduction in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity, as shown by increased survival of substantia nigra dopamine neurons, integrity of striatal dopaminergic fibers, and striatal dopamine metabolite content. Reduced damage is accompanied by attenuation of the motor response evoked by apomorphine. Furthermore, NAPE-PLD silencing protects cathecolamine-producing SH-SY5Y cells from 6-OHDA-induced reactive oxygen species formation, caspase-3 activation and death. Mechanistic studies in mice suggest the existence of multiple molecular contributors to the neuroprotective effects of NAPE-PLD deletion, including suppression of Rac1 activity and attenuated transcription of several genes (Cadps, Casp9, Egln1, Kcnj6, Spen, and Uchl1) implicated in dopamine neuron survival and/or Parkinson's disease. The findings point to a previously unrecognized role for NAPE-PLD in the regulation of dopamine neuron function, which may be linked to the control of NAPE homeostasis in membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Palese
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4625, USA
| | - Silvia Pontis
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Natalia Realini
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-4625, USA.
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6
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Luptakova D, Baciak L, Pluhacek T, Skriba A, Sediva B, Havlicek V, Juranek I. Membrane depolarization and aberrant lipid distributions in the neonatal rat brain following hypoxic-ischaemic insult. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6952. [PMID: 29725040 PMCID: PMC5934395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25088-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) encephalopathy is among the most serious complications in neonatology. In the present study, we studied the immediate (0 hour), subacute (36 hours) and late (144 hours) responses of the neonatal brain to experimental HI insult in laboratory rats. At the striatal level, the mass spectrometry imaging revealed an aberrant plasma membrane distribution of Na+/K+ ions in the oedema-affected areas. The failure of the Na+/K+ gradients was also apparent in the magnetic resonance imaging measurements, demonstrating intracellular water accumulation during the acute phase of the HI insult. During the subacute phase, compared with the control brains, an incipient accumulation of an array of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) molecules was detected in the HI-affected brains, and both the cytotoxic and vasogenic types of oedema were detected. In the severely affected brain areas, abnormal distributions of the monosialogangliosides GM2 and GM3 were observed in two-thirds of the animals exposed to the insult. During the late stage, a partial restoration of the brain tissue was observed in most rats in both the in vivo and ex vivo studies. These specific molecular changes may be further utilized in neonatology practice in proposing and testing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neonatal HI encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Luptakova
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic.,Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, CEM of the SAS, Bratislava, 841 04, Slovakia
| | - Ladislav Baciak
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, CEM of the SAS, Bratislava, 841 04, Slovakia.,Slovak University of Technology, Central Laboratories, Bratislava, 812 37, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Pluhacek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic.,Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Olomouc, 771 47, Czech Republic
| | - Anton Skriba
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Sediva
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Havlicek
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20, Czech Republic. .,Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Olomouc, 771 47, Czech Republic.
| | - Ivo Juranek
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, CEM of the SAS, Bratislava, 841 04, Slovakia
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7
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Mammalian enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of N-acylethanolamines. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2017; 1862:1546-1561. [PMID: 28843504 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) are ethanolamides of long-chain fatty acids, including palmitoylethanolamide, oleoylethanolamide and anandamide. In animal tissues, NAEs are biosynthesized from membrane phospholipids. The classical "transacylation-phosphodiesterase" pathway proceeds via N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), which involves the actions of two enzymes, NAPE-generating Ca2+-dependent N-acyltransferase (Ca-NAT) and NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). Recent identification of Ca-NAT as Ɛ isoform of cytosolic phospholipase A2 enabled the further molecular biological approaches toward this enzyme. In addition, Ca2+-independent NAPE formation was shown to occur by N-acyltransferase activity of a group of proteins named phospholipase A/acyltransferases (PLAAT)-1-5. The analysis of NAPE-PLD-deficient mice confirmed that NAEs can be produced through multi-step pathways bypassing NAPE-PLD. The NAPE-PLD-independent pathways involved three members of the glycerophosphodiesterase (GDE) family (GDE1, GDE4 and GDE7) as well as α/β-hydrolase domain-containing protein (ABHD)4. In this review article, we will focus on recent progress made and latest insights in the enzymes involved in NAE synthesis and their further characterization.
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8
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Donvito G, Wilkerson JL, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH. Palmitoylethanolamide Reverses Paclitaxel-Induced Allodynia in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 359:310-318. [PMID: 27608657 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.236182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) represents a serious complication associated with antineoplastic drugs. Although there are no medications available that effectively prevent CIPN, many classes of drugs have been used to treat this condition, including anticonvulsants, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, and opioids. However, these therapeutic options yielded inconclusive results in CIPN clinical trials and produced assorted side effects with their prolonged use. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop efficacious and safe treatments for CIPN. In this report, we tested whether the endogenous lipid palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) alone or in combination with the anticonvulsant gabapentin would reduce allodynia in a mouse paclitaxel model of CIPN. Gabapentin and PEA reversed paclitaxel-induced allodynia with respective ED50 doses (95% confidence interval) of 67.4 (61.52-73.94) and 9.2 (8.39-10.16) mg/kg. Isobolographic analysis of these drugs in combination revealed synergistic antiallodynic effects. The PPAR-α antagonist receptor antagonist GW6471 [N-((2S)-2-(((1Z)-1-methyl-3-oxo-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)prop-1-enyl)amino)-3-(4-(2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)propyl)propanamide] completely blocked the antinociceptive effects of PEA. In addition, PEA administered via intraplantar injection into a paw, intrathecal injection, and intracerebroventricular injection reversed paclitaxel-induced allodynia, suggesting that it may act at multiple sites in the neuroaxis and periphery. Finally, repeated administration of PEA (30 mg/kg, 7 days) preserved the antiallodynic effects with no evidence of tolerance. These findings taken together suggest that PEA possesses potential to treat peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (G.D.; J.L.W.; M.I.D.; A.H.L.); and Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (G.D.)
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (G.D.; J.L.W.; M.I.D.; A.H.L.); and Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (G.D.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (G.D.; J.L.W.; M.I.D.; A.H.L.); and Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (G.D.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (G.D.; J.L.W.; M.I.D.; A.H.L.); and Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy (G.D.)
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9
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Ogura Y, Parsons WH, Kamat SS, Cravatt BF. A calcium-dependent acyltransferase that produces N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamines. Nat Chem Biol 2016; 12:669-71. [PMID: 27399000 PMCID: PMC4990470 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
More than 30 years ago, a calcium-dependent enzyme activity was described that generates N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs), which are precursors for N-acyl ethanolamine (NAE) lipid transmitters, including the endocannabinoid anandamide. The identity of this calcium-dependent N-acyltransferase (Ca-NAT) has remained mysterious. Here, we use activity-based protein profiling to identify the poorly characterized serine hydrolase PLA2G4E as a mouse brain Ca-NAT and show that this enzyme generates NAPEs and NAEs in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ogura
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - William H Parsons
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Siddhesh S Kamat
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.,The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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10
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Herrera MI, Kölliker-Frers R, Barreto G, Blanco E, Capani F. Glial Modulation by N-acylethanolamides in Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:81. [PMID: 27199733 PMCID: PMC4844606 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation involves the activation of glial cells and represents a key element in normal aging and pathophysiology of brain damage. N-acylethanolamides (NAEs), naturally occurring amides, are known for their pro-homeostatic effects. An increase in NAEs has been reported in vivo and in vitro in the aging brain and in brain injury. Treatment with NAEs may promote neuroprotection and exert anti-inflammatory actions via PPARα activation and/or by counteracting gliosis. This review aims to provide an overview of endogenous and exogenous properties of NAEs in neuroinflammation and to discuss their interaction with glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- María I Herrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Investigaciones en Psicología y Psicopedagogía, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Católica ArgentinaBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Kölliker-Frers
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - George Barreto
- Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Eduardo Blanco
- Departament de Pedagogia i Psicologia, Facultat d'Educació, Psicologia i Treball Social, Universitat de Lleida Lleida, Spain
| | - Francisco Capani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Católica ArgentinaBuenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Biología, Universidad Argentina John F. KennedyBuenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de ChileSantiago, Chile
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11
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Distinct modulation of the endocannabinoid system upon kainic acid-induced in vivo seizures and in vitro epileptiform bursting. Mol Cell Neurosci 2014; 62:1-9. [PMID: 25064144 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is clear evidence on the neuroprotective role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling cascade in various models of epilepsy. In particular, increased levels of eCBs protect against kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect and its age-dependence are still unknown. To clarify this issue, we investigated which step of the biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of the eCBs may be responsible for the eCB-mediated neuroprotection in the hippocampus of P14 and P56-70 KA-treated rats. We found that both anandamide and N-palmitoylethanolamine, together with their biosynthetic enzyme significantly increased in the hippocampus of younger KA-treated rats, while decreasing in adults. In contrast, the levels of the other major eCB, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, similar to its biosynthetic enzyme, were higher in the hippocampus of P56-70 compared to P14 rats. In line with these data, extracellular field recordings in CA1 hippocampus showed that enhancement of endogenous AEA and 2-AG significantly counteracted KA-induced epileptiform bursting in P56-70 and P14 rats, respectively. On the contrary, while the CB1R antagonist SR141716 per se did not affect the population spike, it did worsen KA-induced bursts, confirming increased eCB tone upon KA treatment. Altogether these data indicate an age-specific alteration of the eCB system caused by KA and provide insights for the protective mechanism of the cannabinoid system against epileptiform discharges.
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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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Endogenous cannabinoids revisited: A biochemistry perspective. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2013; 102-103:13-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Wellner N, Diep TA, Janfelt C, Hansen HS. N-acylation of phosphatidylethanolamine and its biological functions in mammals. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2013; 1831:652-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2012.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Revised: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Ueda N, Tsuboi K, Uyama T. Metabolism of endocannabinoids and related N-acylethanolamines: canonical and alternative pathways. FEBS J 2013; 280:1874-94. [PMID: 23425575 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Two arachidonic acid derivatives, arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, are considered to be physiologically important endocannabinoids. In the known metabolic pathway in mammals, anandamide and other bioactive N-acylethanolamines, such as palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide, are biosynthesized from glycerophospholipids by a combination of Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase and N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, and are degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase. However, recent studies have shown the involvement of other enzymes and pathways, which include the members of the tumor suppressor HRASLS family (the phospholipase A/acyltransferase family) functioning as Ca(2+)-independent N-acyltransferases, N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipaseD-independent multistep pathways via N-acylated lysophospholipid, and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase, a lysosomal enzyme that preferentially hydrolyzes palmitoylethanolamide. Although their physiological significance is poorly understood, these new enzymes/pathways may serve as novel targets for the development of therapeutic drugs. For example, selective N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase inhibitors are expected to be new anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In this minireview, we focus on advances in the understanding of these enzymes/pathways. In addition, recent findings on 2-arachidonoylglycerol metabolism are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan.
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Lee TTY, Hill MN, Hillard CJ, Gorzalka BB. Temporal changes in N-acylethanolamine content and metabolism throughout the peri-adolescent period. Synapse 2012; 67:4-10. [PMID: 22987804 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) regulates tissue concentrations of N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including the endocannabinoid, N-arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA). FAAH activity and NAEs are widely distributed throughout the brain and FAAH activity regulates an array of processes including emotion, cognition, inflammation, and feeding. However, there is relatively little research describing how this system develops throughout adolescence, particularly within limbic circuits regulating stress and reward processing. Thus, this study characterized temporal changes in NAE content (AEA, oleoylethanolamine [OEA], and palmitoylethanolamide [PEA]) and FAAH activity across the peri-adolescent period, in four corticolimbic structures (amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and hypothalamus). Brain tissue of male Sprague-Dawley rats was collected on postnatal days (PND) 25, 35, 45, and 70, representing pre-adolescence, early- to mid-adolescence, late adolescence, and adulthood, respectively. Tissue was analyzed for AEA, OEA, and PEA content as well as FAAH activity at each time point. AEA, OEA, and PEA exhibited a similar temporal pattern in all four brain regions. NAE concentrations were lowest at PND 25 and highest at PND 35. NAE concentrations decreased between PNDs 35 and 45 and increased between PNDs 45 and 70. FAAH activity mirrored the pattern of NAE content in which it decreased between PNDs 25 and 35, increased between PNDs 35 and 45, and decreased between PNDs 45 and 70. These age-dependent patterns of NAE content and FAAH activity demonstrate temporal specificity to the development of this system and could contribute to alterations in stress sensitivity, emotionality, and executive function which also fluctuate during this developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany T-Y Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
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Differences in spontaneously avoiding or approaching mice reflect differences in CB1-mediated signaling of dorsal striatal transmission. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33260. [PMID: 22413007 PMCID: PMC3297636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2011] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Approach or avoidance behaviors are accompanied by perceptual vigilance for, affective reactivity to and behavioral predisposition towards rewarding or punitive stimuli, respectively. We detected three subpopulations of C57BL/6J mice that responded with avoiding, balancing or approaching behaviors not induced by any experimental manipulation but spontaneously displayed in an approach/avoidance conflict task. Although the detailed neuronal mechanisms underlying the balancing between approach and avoidance are not fully clarified, there is growing evidence that endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a critical role in the control of these balancing actions. The sensitivity of dorsal striatal synapses to the activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors was investigated in the subpopulations of spontaneously avoiding, balancing or approaching mice. Avoiding animals displayed decreased control of CB1 receptors on GABAergic striatal transmission and in parallel increase of behavioral inhibition. Conversely, approaching animals exhibited increased control of CB1 receptors and in parallel increase of explorative behavior. Balancing animals reacted with balanced responses between approach and avoidance patterns. Treating avoiding animals with URB597 (fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor) or approaching animals with AM251 (CB1 receptor inverse agonist) reverted their respective behavioral and electrophysiological patterns. Therefore, enhanced or reduced CB1-mediated control on dorsal striatal transmission represents the synaptic hallmark of the approach or avoidance behavior, respectively. Thus, the opposite spontaneous responses to conflicting stimuli are modulated by a different involvement of endocannabinoid signaling of dorsal striatal neurons in the range of temperamental traits related to individual differences.
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Janfelt C, Wellner N, Leger P, Kokesch‐Himmelreich J, Hansen SH, Charriaut‐Marlangue C, Hansen HS. Visualization by mass spectrometry of 2‐dimensional changes in rat brain lipids, including
N
‐acylphosphatidylethanolamines, during neonatal brain ischemia. FASEB J 2012; 26:2667-73. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-201152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Janfelt
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical ChemistryUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Niels Wellner
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacotherapyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Pierre‐Louis Leger
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U676Hôpital Robert DebréUniversite‐Denis Diderot‐Paris 7ParisFrance
| | | | - Steen Honoré Hansen
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical ChemistryUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Christiane Charriaut‐Marlangue
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U676Hôpital Robert DebréUniversite‐Denis Diderot‐Paris 7ParisFrance
| | - Harald Severin Hansen
- Department of Pharmacology and PharmacotherapyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenDenmark
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Coulon D, Faure L, Salmon M, Wattelet V, Bessoule JJ. Occurrence, biosynthesis and functions of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPE): Not just precursors of N-acylethanolamines (NAE). Biochimie 2012; 94:75-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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20
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Ueda N, Tsuboi K, Uyama T. Enzymological studies on the biosynthesis of N-acylethanolamines. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2010; 1801:1274-85. [PMID: 20736084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2010.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ethanolamides of different long-chain fatty acids constitute a class of endogenous lipid molecules generally called N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). They contain N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide), N-palmitoylethanolamine, and N-oleoylethanolamine, which receive considerable attention because of their actions as an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand (endocannabinoid), an anti-inflammatory substance, and an appetite-suppressing substance, respectively. Identification of their biosynthetic routes in animal tissues and molecular characterization of the enzymes involved are essential for better understanding of physiological importance of NAEs as well as development of enzyme inhibitors as possible therapeutic drugs. In the classical "transacylation-phosphodiesterase pathway", NAEs are formed from glycerophospholipids via N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), an unusual derivative of phosphatidylethanolamine with a third acyl chain attached to the amino group, by sequential catalyses by Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase and NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D. However, recent studies reveal that NAE-generating pathways are more complex than presumed before. In this review article, we will focus on recent findings regarding mammalian enzymes that are involved or might be involved in the biosynthesis of NAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
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21
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Ueda N, Tsuboi K, Uyama T. N-acylethanolamine metabolism with special reference to N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA). Prog Lipid Res 2010; 49:299-315. [PMID: 20152858 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) constitute a class of bioactive lipid molecules present in animal and plant tissues. Among the NAEs, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide), N-palmitoylethanolamine, and N-oleoylethanolamine attract much attention due to cannabimimetic activity as an endocannabinoid, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, and anorexic activity, respectively. In mammalian tissues, NAEs are formed from glycerophospholipids through the phosphodiesterase-transacylation pathway consisting of Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D. Recent studies revealed the presence of alternative pathways and enzymes responsible for the NAE formation. As for the degradation of NAEs, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which hydrolyzes NAEs to fatty acids and ethanolamine, plays a central role. However, a lysosomal enzyme referred to as NAE-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) also catalyzes the same reaction and may be a new target for the development of therapeutic drugs. In this article we discuss recent progress in the studies on the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of NAEs with special reference to NAAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa, Japan
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22
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Intracellular mechanisms of N-acylethanolamine-mediated neuroprotection in a rat model of stroke. Neuroscience 2009; 166:252-62. [PMID: 19963043 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2009] [Revised: 11/11/2009] [Accepted: 11/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
N-acyl ethanolamines (NAEs) are endogenous lipids that are synthesized in response to tissue injury, including ischemia and stroke, suggesting they may exhibit neuroprotective properties. We hypothesized that NAE 16:0 (palmitoylethanolamine) is neuroprotective against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, a widely employed model of stroke, and that neuroprotection is mediated through an intracellular mechanism independent of known NAE receptors. Administration of NAE 16:0 from 30 min before to 2 h after stroke significantly reduced cortical and subcortical infarct volume, and correlated with an improvement of the neurological phenotype, as assessed by the neurological deficit score. We here show that NAE 16:0-mediated neuroprotection was independent of cannabinoid (CB1) and vanilloid (VR1) receptor activation, known NAE receptors on the plasma membrane, as determined by inclusion of specific inhibitors. The inclusion of an NAE uptake inhibitor (AM404), however, completely reversed NAE 16:0-mediated neuroprotection, suggesting that NAE 16:0s effects are through an intracellular mechanism. NAE 16:0 produced a significant reduction in the number of cells undergoing apoptosis and reversed ischemia-induced upregulation of several proteins, including inducible nitric oxide synthase and transcription factor NFkappaB. Our findings suggest that NAE 16:0-mediated neuroprotection is due to the reduction of neuronal apoptosis and inflammation in the brain.
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Petersen G, Pedersen AH, Pickering DS, Begtrup M, Hansen HS. Effect of synthetic and natural phospholipids on N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity. Chem Phys Lipids 2009; 162:53-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2009.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Revised: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Abstract
In animal tissues anandamide and other bioactive N-acylethanolamines are principally produced from glycerophospholipids through the transacylation-phosphodiesterase pathway consisting of two enzymatic reactions. The first reaction is the generation of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) by transferring an acyl group esterified at sn-1 position of glycerophospholipid to the amino group of phosphatidylethanolamine. This reaction is catalyzed by Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase. The discovery of Ca(2+)-independent N-acyltransferase revealed the existence of plural enzymes which are capable of catalyzing this reaction. The second reaction is the release of N-acylethanolamine from NAPE catalyzed by NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). The enzyme belongs to the metallo-beta-lactamase family and specifically hydrolyzes NAPEs. Recent studies, including analysis of NAPE-PLD-deficient mice, led to the discovery of NAPE-PLD-independent pathways for the anandamide biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Okamoto
- The Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
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25
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Darmani NA, Izzo AA, Degenhardt B, Valenti M, Scaglione G, Capasso R, Sorrentini I, Di Marzo V. Involvement of the cannabimimetic compound, N-palmitoyl-ethanolamine, in inflammatory and neuropathic conditions: review of the available pre-clinical data, and first human studies. Neuropharmacology 2009; 48:1154-63. [PMID: 15910891 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2005.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2004] [Revised: 12/14/2004] [Accepted: 01/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabimimetic compound, and anandamide analogue, N-palmitoyl-ethanolamine (PEA), was shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in experimental models of visceral, neuropathic and inflammatory pain by acting via several possible mechanisms. However, only scant data have been reported on the regulation of PEA levels during pathological conditions in animals or, particularly, humans. We review the current literature on PEA and report the results of three separate studies indicating that its concentrations are significantly increased during three different inflammatory and neuropathic conditions, two of which have been assessed in humans, and one in a mouse model. In patients affected with chronic low back pain, blood PEA levels were not significantly different from those of healthy volunteers, but were significantly and differentially increased (1.6-fold, P<0.01, N=10 per group) 30 min following an osteopathic manipulative treatment. In the second study, the paw skin levels of PEA in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain were found to be significantly higher (1.5-fold, P<0.005, N=5) than those of control mice. In the third study, colonic PEA levels in biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis were found to be 1.8-fold higher (P<0.05, N=8-10) than those in healthy subjects. These heterogeneous data, together with previous findings reviewed here, substantiate the hypothesis that PEA is an endogenous mediator whose levels are increased following neuroinflammatory or neuropathic conditions in both animals and humans, possibly to exert a local anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nissar A Darmani
- Department of Pharmacology and the A. T. Still Research Institute, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A. T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, MO, USA
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Hansen HS, Diep TA. N-acylethanolamines, anandamide and food intake. Biochem Pharmacol 2009; 78:553-60. [PMID: 19413995 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2009.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2009] [Revised: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Anandamide and the other N-acylethanolamines, e.g. oleoylethanolamide (OEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and linoleoylethanolamide (LEA), may be formed by several enzymatic pathways from their precursors, which are the N-acylated ethanolamine phospholipids. The exact enzymatic pathways involved in their biosynthesis in specific tissues are not clarified. It has been suggested that endogenous anandamide could stimulate food intake by activation of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and/or in the intestinal tissue. On the other hand, endogenous OEA and PEA have been suggested to inhibit food intake by acting on receptors in the intestine. At present, there is no clear role for endogenous anandamide in controlling food intake via cannabinoid receptors, neither centrally nor in the gastrointestinal tract. However, OEA, PEA and perhaps also LEA may be involved in regulation of food intake by selective prolongation of feeding latency and post-meal interval. These N-acylethanolamines seem to be formed locally in the intestine, where they can activate PPARalpha located in close proximity to their site of synthesis. The rapid onset of OEA response and its reliance on an intact vagus nerve suggests that activation of PPARalpha does not result in formation of a transcription-dependent signal but must rely on an unidentified non-genomic signal that translates to activation of vagal afferents. Whether GPR119, TRPV1 and/or intestinal ceramide levels also contribute to the anorectic and weight-reducing effect of exogenous OEA is less clear. Prolonged intake of dietary fat (45 energy%) may promote over-consumption of food by decreasing the endogenous levels of OEA, PEA and LEA in the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald S Hansen
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Biology of endocannabinoid synthesis system. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2008; 89:112-9. [PMID: 19126434 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2008.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2008] [Revised: 11/20/2008] [Accepted: 12/02/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors) exert diverse physiological and pathophysiological functions in animal tissues. N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are two representative endocannabinoids. Both the compounds are arachidonic acid-containing lipid molecules generated from membrane glycerophospholipids, but their biosynthetic pathways are totally different. Anandamide is principally formed together with other N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) in a two-step pathway, which is composed of Ca(2+)-dependent N-acyltransferase and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). cDNA cloning of NAPE-PLD and subsequent analysis of its gene-disrupted mice led to the discovery of alternative pathways comprising multiple enzymes. As for the 2-AG biosynthesis, recent results, including cDNA cloning of diacylglycerol lipase and analyses of phospholipase Cbeta-deficient mice, demonstrated that these two enzymes are responsible for the in vivo formation of 2-AG functioning as a retrograde messenger in synapses. In this review article, we will focus on recent progress in the studies on the enzymes responsible for the endocannabinoid biosyntheses.
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Degn M, Lambertsen KL, Petersen G, Meldgaard M, Artmann A, Clausen BH, Hansen SH, Finsen B, Hansen HS, Lund TM. Changes in brain levels of N-acylethanolamines and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in focal cerebral ischemia in mice. J Neurochem 2007; 103:1907-16. [PMID: 17868306 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04892.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are bioactive lipids that can modulate inflammatory responses and protect neurons against glutamatergic excitotoxicity. We have used a model of focal cerebral ischemia in young adult mice to investigate the relationship between focal cerebral ischemia and endogenous NAEs. Over the first 24 h after induction of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, we observed a time-dependent increase in all the investigated NAEs, except for anandamide. Moreover, we found an accumulation of 2-AG at 4 h that returned to basal level 12 h after induction of ischemia. Accumulation of NAEs did not depend on regulation of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D or fatty acid amide hydrolase. Treatment with the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 (cyclohexyl carbamic acid 3'-carbamoyl-biphenyl-3-yl ester; 1 mg/kg; i.p.) 1.5 h before arterial occlusion decreased the infarct volume in our model system. Our results suggest that NAEs and 2-AG may be involved in regulation of neuroprotection during focal cerebral ischemia in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Degn
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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29
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Okamoto Y, Wang J, Morishita J, Ueda N. Biosynthetic Pathways of the Endocannabinoid Anandamide. Chem Biodivers 2007; 4:1842-57. [PMID: 17712822 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.200790155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Anandamide (=N-arachidonoylethanolamine) is the first discovered endocannabinoid, and belongs to the class of bioactive, long-chain N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). In animal tissues, anandamide is principally formed together with other NAEs from glycerophospholipid by two successive enzymatic reactions: 1) N-acylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to generate N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) by Ca2+-dependent N-acyltransferase; 2) release of NAE from NAPE by a phosphodiesterase of the phospholipase D type (NAPE-PLD). Although these anandamide-synthesizing enzymes were poorly understood until recently, our cDNA cloning of NAPE-PLD in 2004 enabled molecular-biological approaches to the enzymes. NAPE-PLD is a member of the metallo-beta-lactamase family, which specifically hydrolyzes NAPE among glycerophospholipids, and appears to be constitutively active. Mutagenesis studies suggested that the enzyme functions through a mechanism similar to those of other members of the family. NAPE-PLD is widely expressed in animal tissues, including various regions in rat brain. Its expression level in the brain is very low at birth, and remarkably increases with development. Analysis of NAPE-PLD-deficient mice and other recent studies revealed the presence of NAPE-PLD-independent pathways for the anandamide formation. Furthermore, calcium-independent N-acyltransferase was discovered and characterized. In this article, we will review recent progress in the studies on these enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of anandamide and other NAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Okamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
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Jin XH, Okamoto Y, Morishita J, Tsuboi K, Tonai T, Ueda N. Discovery and Characterization of a Ca2+-independent Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Acyltransferase Generating the Anandamide Precursor and Its Congeners. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:3614-23. [PMID: 17158102 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m606369200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) are precursors of bioactive N-acylethanolamines, including the endocannabinoid anandamide. In animal tissues, NAPE is formed by transfer of a fatty acyl chain at the sn-1 position of glycerophospholipids to the amino group of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and this reaction is believed to be the principal rate-limiting step in N-acylethanolamine synthesis. However, the Ca2+-dependent, membrane-associated N-acyltransferase (NAT) responsible for this reaction has not yet been cloned. In this study, on the basis of the functional similarity of NAT to lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), we examined a possible PE N-acylation activity in two rat LRAT homologous proteins. Upon overexpression in COS-7 cells, one protein, named rat LRAT-like protein (RLP)-1, catalyzed transfer of a radioactive acyl group from phosphatidylcholine (PC) to PE, resulting in the formation of radioactive NAPE. However, the RLP-1 activity was detected mainly in the cytosolic rather than membrane fraction and was little stimulated by Ca2+. Moreover, RLP-1 did not show selectivity with respect to the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of PC as an acyl donor and therefore could generate N-arachidonoyl-PE (anandamide precursor) from 2-arachidonoyl-PC and PE. In contrast, under the same assay conditions, partially purified NAT from rat brain was highly Ca2+-dependent, membrane-associated, and specific for the sn-1-acyl group of PC. RLP-1 mRNA was expressed predominantly in testis among various rat tissues, and the testis cytosol exhibited an RLP-1-like activity. These results reveal that RLP-1 can function as a PE N-acyltransferase, catalytically distinguishable from the known Ca2+-dependent NAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hua Jin
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
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Petersen G, Sørensen C, Schmid PC, Artmann A, Tang-Christensen M, Hansen SH, Larsen PJ, Schmid HHO, Hansen HS. Intestinal levels of anandamide and oleoylethanolamide in food-deprived rats are regulated through their precursors. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2006; 1761:143-50; discussion 141-2. [PMID: 16478679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2005.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2005] [Revised: 12/12/2005] [Accepted: 12/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The anorectic lipid oleoylethanolamide and the orexigenic lipid anandamide both belong to the group of N-acylethanolamines that are generated by the enzyme N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D. The levels of the two bioactive lipids were investigated in rat intestines after 24 h of starvation as well as after 1 and 4 h of re-feeding. Total levels of precursor phospholipids and N-acylethanolamines were decreased upon food-deprivation whereas the level of the anandamide precursor molecule was significantly increased. The level of 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol was unchanged as was the activity of N-acyltransferase, N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, and fatty acid amide hydrolase upon starvation and re-feeding. It is concluded that remodeling of the amide-linked fatty acids of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine is responsible for the opposite effects on levels of anandamide and oleoylethanolamide in intestines of food-deprived rats and not an alternative biochemical route for anandamide synthesis. Furthermore, linoleoylethanolamide, which accounted for more than 50 mol% of the endogenous pool of N-acylethanolamines, was found not to have the same inhibitory effect on food intake, as did oleoylethanolamide following oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitte Petersen
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Maccarrone M, Gasperi V, Fezza F, Finazzi-Agrò A, Rossi A. Differential regulation of fatty acid amide hydrolase promoter in human immune cells and neuronal cells by leptin and progesterone. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 271:4666-76. [PMID: 15606754 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04427.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have shown recently that in human T lymphocytes, leptin stimulates activity and expression of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), through STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and its CRE (cAMP response element)-like transcriptional target in the FAAH promoter [Maccarrone, M., Di Rienzo, M., Finazzi-Agro, A., & Rossi, A. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 13318-13324]. We have also shown that progesterone, alone or additively with leptin, up-regulates the FAAH gene in human T-cells, through the Ikaros transcription factor [Maccarrone, M., Bari, M., Di Rienzo, M., Finazzi-Agro, A., & Rossi, A. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 32726-32732]. Here, we extend these observations to immortalized human lymphoma U937 cells, where stimulation of FAAH by leptin (up to approximately 300% of the controls) involves binding to a leptin receptor (Kd = 2.0 +/- 0.1 nm, Bmax = 382 +/- 5 fmol.mg protein(-1), apparent molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa), and stimulation by progesterone involves an intracellular receptor of approximately 120 kDa. Unlike FAAH, the other proteins of the endocannabinoid system are not modulated by the two hormones. Interestingly, human neuroblastoma CHP100 cells also have a leptin receptor (approximately 110 kDa, Kd = 2.2 +/- 0.2 nm, Bmax = 339 +/- 8 fmol.mg protein(-1)), a progesterone receptor (approximately 120 kDa), STAT3 and Ikaros, yet their FAAH is not activated by leptin or progesterone. These data, corroborated by transient expression and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, demonstrate an unprecedented cell-specific regulation of the FAAH gene, which has important implications for the control of tone and activity of AEA along the neuroimmune axis.
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Morishita J, Okamoto Y, Tsuboi K, Ueno M, Sakamoto H, Maekawa N, Ueda N. Regional distribution and age-dependent expression of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in rat brain. J Neurochem 2005; 94:753-62. [PMID: 15992380 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03234.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and other bioactive long-chain N-acylethanolamines are thought to be formed from their corresponding N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines by a specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) in the brain as well as other tissues. However, regional distribution of NAPE-PLD in the brain has not been examined. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of NAPE-PLD in nine different regions of rat brain by enzyme assay, western blotting and real-time PCR. The NAPE-PLD activity was detected in all the tested brain regions with the highest activity in thalamus. Similar distribution patterns of NAPE-PLD were observed at protein and mRNA levels. We also found a remarkable increase in the expression levels of protein and mRNA of the brain NAPE-PLD with development, which was in good agreement with the increase in the activity. The age-dependent increase was also seen with several brain regions and other NAPE-PLD-enriched organs (heart and testis). p-Chloromercuribenzoic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, which inhibited recombinant NAPE-PLD dose-dependently, strongly inhibited the enzyme of all the brain regions. These results demonstrated wide distribution of NAPE-PLD in various brain regions and its age-dependent expression, suggesting the central role of this enzyme in the formation of anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Morishita
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
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Petersen G, Moesgaard B, Schmid PC, Schmid HHO, Broholm H, Kosteljanetz M, Hansen HS. Endocannabinoid metabolism in human glioblastomas and meningiomas compared to human non-tumour brain tissue. J Neurochem 2005; 93:299-309. [PMID: 15816853 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03013.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous levels of the two cannabinoid receptor ligands 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide, and their respective congeners, monoacyl glycerols and N-acylethanolamines, as well as the phospholipid precursors of N-acylethanolamines, were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in glioblastoma (WHO grade IV) tissue and meningioma (WHO grade I) tissue and compared with human non-tumour brain tissue. Furthermore, the metabolic turnover of N-acylethanolamines was compared by measurements of the enzymatic activity of N-acyltransferase, N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase in the same three types of tissue. Glioblastomas were characterized by enhanced levels of N-acylethanolamines (eightfold, 128 +/- 59 pmol/micromol lipid phosphorus) including anandamide (17-fold, 4.6 +/- 3.1 pmol/micromol lipid phosphorus) and several species of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (three to eightfold). This was accompanied by a more than 60% reduction in the enzyme activities of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase. By contrast, meningiomas were characterized by a massively enhanced level of 2-monoacyl glycerols (20-fold, 2293 +/- 361 pmol/micromol lipid phosphorus) including 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (20-fold, 1524 +/- 361 pmol/micromol lipid phosphorus). This was accompanied by an enhanced in vitro conversion of phosphatidylcholine to monoacyl glycerol (fivefold). The enhanced level of the 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines detected in the two types of tumour tissue may possibly act as endogenous anti-tumour mediators by stimulation of both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptor-mediated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitte Petersen
- Department of Pharmacology, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fezza F, Gasperi V, Mazzei C, Maccarrone M. Radiochromatographic assay of N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D activity. Anal Biochem 2005; 339:113-20. [PMID: 15766717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2004.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A radiochromatographic method has been set up to assay the activity of N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and online scintillation counting. The anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), product released by NAPE-PLD from the N-arachidonoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NArPE) substrate, was separated using a C18 column eluted with methanol-water-acetic acid and was quantified with an external standard method. Baseline separation of AEA and NArPE was completed in less than 15 min, with a detection limit of 0.5 fmol AEA at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4:1. The sensitivity and accuracy of the radiochromatographic procedure allowed detection and characterization of NAPE-PLD activity in very tiny tissue samples or in samples where the enzymatic activity is very low. With this method, we could determine the kinetic constants (i.e., apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 40.0+/-5.6 microM and maximum velocity (Vmax) of 22.2+/-3.5 pmol/min per milligram protein toward NArPE) and the distribution of NAPE-PLD activity in brain areas and peripheral tissues of mouse. In addition, we could collect unprecedented evidence that compounds widely used in studies of the endocannabinoid system (e.g., AEA and congeners, receptor a(nta)gonists and inhibitors of AEA degradation) can also affect NAPE-PLD activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Fezza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Battista N, Gasperi V, Fezza F, Maccarrone M. The anandamide membrane transporter and the therapeutic implications of its inhibition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.2217/14750708.2.1.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Holt S, Rocksén D, Bucht A, Petersen G, Hansen HS, Valenti M, Di Marzo V, Fowler CJ. Lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation is not accompanied by a release of anandamide into the lavage fluid or a down-regulation of the activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase. Life Sci 2004; 76:461-72. [PMID: 15530507 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2004.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2004] [Accepted: 08/31/2004] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The effect of lipopolysaccharide inhalation upon lung anandamide levels, anandamide synthetic enzymes and fatty acid amide hydrolase has been investigated. Lipopolysaccharide exposure produced a dramatic extravasation of neutrophils and release of tumour necrosis factor alpha into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, which was not accompanied by epithelial cell injury. The treatment, however, did not change significantly the levels of anandamide and the related compound palmitoylethanolamide in the cell-free fraction of the BAL fluid. The activities of the anandamide synthetic enzymes N-acyltransferase and N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D and the activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase in lung membrane fractions did not change significantly following the exposure to lipopolysaccharide. The non-selective fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride was a less potent inhibitor of lung fatty acid amide hydrolase than expected from the literature, and a dose of 30 mg/kg i.p. of this compound, which produced a complete inhibition of brain anandamide metabolism, only partially inhibited the lung metabolic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Holt
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
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Centonze D, Battista N, Rossi S, Mercuri NB, Finazzi-Agrò A, Bernardi G, Calabresi P, Maccarrone M. A critical interaction between dopamine D2 receptors and endocannabinoids mediates the effects of cocaine on striatal gabaergic Transmission. Neuropsychopharmacology 2004; 29:1488-97. [PMID: 15100701 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that endocannabinoids are implicated in drug addiction. In the present study, we have addressed the interaction between cocaine and endocannabinoid system by means of neurochemical and neurophysiological experiments in rat brain slices. Using gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry, we have found that cocaine increased the levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide in the striatum, a brain area primarily involved in the compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors typical of addiction. This effect was attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of D2-like receptors but not D1-like receptors, and it was mimicked by D2-like but not D1-like receptor stimulation. The cocaine-induced increase in anandamide concentrations was attributable to both stimulation of its synthesis and inhibition of its degradation, as suggested by the ability of cocaine and quinpirole, a D2-like receptor agonist, to enhance the activity of NAPE-phospholipase D and to inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase. By means of electrophysiological recordings from single striatal neurons, we have then observed that the ability of cocaine to inhibit, via D2-like receptors, GABA transmission was partially prevented following blockade of cannabinoid receptors, suggesting that endocannabinoids may act as downstream effectors in the action of cocaine in the striatum. Understanding the molecular and physiological effects of drugs of abuse in the brain is essential for the development of effective strategies against addiction.
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MESH Headings
- 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine/pharmacology
- Amidohydrolases/metabolism
- Animals
- Arachidonic Acids/pharmacokinetics
- Arachidonic Acids/pharmacology
- Cerebral Cortex/drug effects
- Cerebral Cortex/enzymology
- Cocaine/pharmacology
- Cyclohexanols/metabolism
- Dopamine Agonists/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Dronabinol/analogs & derivatives
- Dronabinol/pharmacology
- Electrophysiology
- Endocannabinoids
- Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/drug effects
- In Vitro Techniques
- Male
- Neostriatum/drug effects
- Patch-Clamp Techniques
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides
- Quinpirole/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/drug effects
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/drug effects
- Synaptic Transmission/drug effects
- Synaptosomes/metabolism
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Centonze
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Tor Vergata & IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Okamoto Y, Morishita J, Tsuboi K, Tonai T, Ueda N. Molecular Characterization of a Phospholipase D Generating Anandamide and Its Congeners. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:5298-305. [PMID: 14634025 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m306642200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 565] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine) is known to be an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. Its congeners (collectively referred to as N-acylethanolamines) also show a variety of biological activities. These compounds are principally formed from their corresponding N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamines by a phosphodiesterase of the phospholipase D-type in animal tissues. We purified the enzyme from rat heart, and by the use of the sequences of its internal peptides cloned its complementary DNAs from mouse, rat, and human. The deduced amino acid sequences were composed of 393-396 residues, and showed that the enzyme has no homology with the known phospholipase D enzymes but is classified as a member of the zinc metallohydrolase family of the beta-lactamase fold. As was overexpressed in COS-7 cells, the recombinant enzyme generated anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines from their corresponding N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamines at comparable rates. In contrast, the enzyme was inactive with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Assays of the enzyme activity and the messenger RNA and protein levels revealed its wide distribution in murine organs with higher contents in the brain, kidney, and testis. These results confirm that a specific phospholipase D is responsible for the generation of N-acylethanolamines including anandamide, strongly suggesting the physiological importance of lipid molecules of this class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Okamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan
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Berger C, Schmid PC, Schabitz WR, Wolf M, Schwab S, Schmid HHO. Massive accumulation of N-acylethanolamines after stroke. Cell signalling in acute cerebral ischemia? J Neurochem 2004; 88:1159-67. [PMID: 15009671 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02244.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated levels and compositions of N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and their precursors, N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamines (N-acyl PEs), in a rat stroke model applying striatal microdialysis for glutamate assay. Rats (n = 18) were treated with either intravenous saline (control), NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 (1 mg/kg), or CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A (1 mg/kg) 30 min after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). MK801 significantly attenuated the release of glutamate in the infarcted striatum (79 +/- 22 micromol/L) as compared with controls (322 +/- 104 micromol/L). The administration of CB1 antagonist SR141716A had no statistically significant effect on glutamate release (340 +/- 89 micromol/L), but reduced infarct volume at 5 h after MCAO significantly by approximately 40%, whereas MK801 treatment resulted in a non-significant (18%) reduction of infarct volume. In controls, striatal and cortical NAE concentrations were about 30-fold higher in the infarcted than in the non-infarcted hemisphere, whereas ipsilateral N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine (N-acyl PE) levels exceeded contralateral levels by only a factor of two to three. Treatment with MK801 or SR141716A, or glutamate release in the infarcted tissue, had no significant effect on these levels. NAE accumulation during acute stroke may be due to increased synthesis as well as decreased degradation, possibly by inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
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Maccarrone M, Di Rienzo M, Battista N, Gasperi V, Guerrieri P, Rossi A, Finazzi-Agrò A. The endocannabinoid system in human keratinocytes. Evidence that anandamide inhibits epidermal differentiation through CB1 receptor-dependent inhibition of protein kinase C, activation protein-1, and transglutaminase. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:33896-903. [PMID: 12815050 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m303994200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide (AEA), a prominent member of the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids), is known to affect several functions of brain and peripheral tissues. A potential role for AEA in skin pathophysiology has been proposed, yet its molecular basis remains unknown. Here we report unprecedented evidence that spontaneously immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) have the biochemical machinery to bind and metabolize AEA, i.e. a functional type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R), a selective AEA membrane transporter (AMT), an AEA-degrading fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and an AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (PLD). We show that, unlike CB1R and PLD, the activity of AMT and the activity and expression of FAAH increase while the endogenous levels of AEA decrease in HaCaT and NHEK cells induced to differentiate in vitro by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) plus calcium. We also show that exogenous AEA inhibits the formation of cornified envelopes, a hallmark of keratinocyte differentiation, in HaCaT and NHEK cells treated with TPA plus calcium, through a CB1R-dependent reduction of transglutaminase and protein kinase C activity. Moreover, transient expression in HaCaT cells of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene under control of the loricrin promoter, which contained a wild-type or mutated activating protein-1 (AP-1) site, showed that AEA inhibited AP-1 in a CB1R-dependent manner. Taken together, these data demonstrate that human keratinocytes partake in the peripheral endocannabinoid system and show a novel signaling mechanism of CB1 receptors, which may have important implications in epidermal differentiation and skin development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
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Maccarrone M, Bari M, Di Rienzo M, Finazzi-Agrò A, Rossi A. Progesterone activates fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) promoter in human T lymphocytes through the transcription factor Ikaros. Evidence for a synergistic effect of leptin. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:32726-32. [PMID: 12799380 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m302123200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological concentrations of progesterone stimulate the activity of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in human T lymphocytes, up to a approximately 270% over the untreated controls. Stimulation of FAAH occurred through up-regulation of gene expression at transcriptional and translational level and was specific. Indeed, neither the activity of the anandamide-synthesizing N-acyltransferase and phospholipase D, nor the activity of the anandamide transporter, nor the binding to cannabinoid receptors were affected by progesterone under the same experimental conditions. The activation of FAAH by progesterone was paralleled by a decrease (down to 60%) of the cellular levels of anandamide and involved increased nuclear levels of the transcription factor Ikaros. Analysis of the FAAH promoter showed an Ikaros binding site, and mutation of this site prevented FAAH activation by progesterone in transient expression assays. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays further corroborated the promoter activity data. Furthermore, the effect of progesterone on FAAH promoter was additive to that of physiological amounts of leptin, which binds to a cAMP response element-like site in the promoter region. Taken together, these results suggest that progesterone and leptin, by up-regulating the FAAH promoter at different sites, enhance FAAH expression, thus tuning the immunomodulatory effects of anandamide. These findings might also have critical implications for human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
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van der Stelt M, Hansen HH, Veldhuis WB, Bär PR, Nicolay K, Veldink GA, Vliegenthart JFG, Hansen HS. Biosynthesis of endocannabinoids and their modes of action in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurotox Res 2003; 5:183-200. [PMID: 12835123 DOI: 10.1007/bf03033139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are thought to function as retrograde messengers, which modulate neurotransmitter release by activating presynaptic cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the two best studied endogenous lipids which can act as endocannabinoids. Together with the proteins responsible for their biosynthesis, inactivation and the cannabinoid receptors, these lipids constitute the endocannabinoid system. This system is proposed to be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases as well as Multiple Sclerosis. It has been demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system can protect neurons against glutamate excitotoxicity and acute neuronal damage in both in vitro and in vivo models. In this paper we review the data concerning the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative diseases in which neuronal cell death may be elicited by excitotoxicity. We focus on the biosynthesis of endocannabinoids and on their modes of action in animal models of these neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Bio-organic Chemistry, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Science, Padualaan 8, NL-3584 CH Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Maccarrone M, Gubellini P, Bari M, Picconi B, Battista N, Centonze D, Bernardi G, Finazzi-Agrò A, Calabresi P. Levodopa treatment reverses endocannabinoid system abnormalities in experimental parkinsonism. J Neurochem 2003; 85:1018-25. [PMID: 12716433 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.01759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands are potent inhibitors of neurotransmitter release in the brain. Here, we show that in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by unilateral nigral lesion with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), the striatal levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) were increased, while the activity of its membrane transporter and hydrolase (fatty-acid amide hydrolase, FAAH) were decreased. These changes were not observed in the cerebellum of the same animals. Moreover, the frequency and amplitude of glutamate-mediated spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents were augmented in striatal spiny neurones recorded from parkinsonian rats. Remarkably, the anomalies in the endocannabinoid system, as well as those in glutamatergic activity, were completely reversed by chronic treatment of parkinsonian rats with levodopa, and the pharmacological inhibition of FAAH restored a normal glutamatergic activity in 6-OHDA-lesioned animals. Thus, the increased striatal levels of AEA may reflect a compensatory mechanism trying to counteract the abnormal corticostriatal glutamatergic drive in parkinsonian rats. However, this mechanism seems to be unsuccessful, since spontaneous excitatory activity is still higher in these animals. Taken together, these data show that anomalies in the endocannabinoid system induced by experimental parkinsonism are restricted to the striatum and can be reversed by chronic levodopa treatment, and suggest that inhibition of FAAH might represent a possible target to decrease the abnormal cortical glutamatergic drive in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche and Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Moesgaard B, Hansen HH, Hansen SL, Hansen SH, Petersen G, Hansen HS. Brain levels of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids in mice during pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure. Lipids 2003; 38:387-90. [PMID: 12848283 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-003-1073-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The N-acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPE) are precursors for N-acylethanolamines (NAE), including anandamide (20:4-NAE), which is a ligand for the cannabinoid receptors. Previously, NAPE were believed to be found only in injured tissue, e.g., after neurodegenerative insults. Neuronal injury may occur in response to seizure activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in PTZ-kindled mice on the level of NAPE in the brain. Male NMRI mice were kindled with PTZ injections 3 times/wk, thereby developing clonic seizures in response to PTZ. Mice were killed within 30 min after the clonic seizure on the test day (12th injection) and the brains were collected. Eight species of NAPE were analyzed as the glycerophospho-N-acylethanolamines by high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. No effect of the PTZ kindling on the NAPE levels in murine brains was observed. Total NAPE in control mice cortex (n = 4) was 16.4 +/- 3.0 micromol/g wet weight of which 20:4-NAPE accounted for 3.6 mol%, and the major species was 16:0-NAPE, accounting for 52.1 mol%. Determination of the activity of NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D and of N-acyltransferase in brain membrane preparations from adult and 3-d-old mice revealed an enzyme pattern in the adult mice that was favorable for NAE accumulation as opposed to NAPE accumulation. Thus, there was no difference in NAPE levels; at present, however, this does not exclude that NAE may accumulate during seizure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Moesgaard
- Department of Pharmacology, The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
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Wang L, Liu J, Harvey-White J, Zimmer A, Kunos G. Endocannabinoid signaling via cannabinoid receptor 1 is involved in ethanol preference and its age-dependent decline in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:1393-8. [PMID: 12538878 PMCID: PMC298783 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0336351100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids and ethanol can activate the same reward pathways, which could suggest endocannabinoid involvement in the rewarding effects of ethanol. The high ethanol preference of young (6-10 weeks) C57BL6J mice is reduced by the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist SR141716A to levels observed in their CB1 knockout littermates or in old (26-48 weeks) wild-type mice, in both of which ethanol preference is unaffected by SR141716A. Similarly, SR141716A inhibits food intake in food-restricted young, but not old, wild-type mice. There are no age-dependent differences in the tissue levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol or the density of CB1 in the hypothalamus, limbic forebrain, amygdala, and cerebellum. CB1-stimulated guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gammaS]) binding is selectively reduced in the limbic forebrain of old compared with young wild-type mice. There is no age-dependent difference in G(i) or G(o) subunit protein expression in the limbic forebrain, and the selective reduction in GTP[gammaS] labeling in tissue from old mice is maintained in a receptorG protein reconstitution assay by using functional bovine brain G protein. These findings suggest that endocannabinoids acting at CB1 contribute to ethanol preference, and decreased coupling of CB1 to G proteins in the limbic forebrain by mechanisms other than altered receptor or G protein levels may be involved in the age-dependent decline in the appetite for both ethanol and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Fowler CJ. Plant-derived, synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids as neuroprotective agents. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids, 'entourage' compounds and inhibitors of N-acyl ethanolamine breakdown as therapeutic strategies to avoid pyschotropic effects. BRAIN RESEARCH. BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS 2003; 41:26-43. [PMID: 12505646 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0173(02)00218-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There is good evidence that plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids possess neuroprotective properties. These compounds, as a result of effects upon CB(1) cannabinoid receptors, reduce the release of glutamate, and in addition reduce the influx of calcium following NMDA receptor activation. The major obstacle to the therapeutic utilization of such compounds are their psychotropic effects, which are also brought about by actions on CB(1) receptors. However, synthesis of the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which also have neuroprotective properties, are increased under conditions of severe inflammation and ischemia, raising the possibility that compounds that prevent their metabolism may be of therapeutic utility without having the drawback of producing psychotropic effects. In this review, the evidence indicating neuroprotective actions of plant-derived, synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids is presented. In addition, the pharmacological properties of endogenous anandamide-related compounds that are not active upon cannabinoid receptors, but which are also produced during conditions of severe inflammation and ischemia and may contribute to a neuroprotective action are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Fowler
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
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Schmid HHO, Schmid PC, Berdyshev EV. Cell signaling by endocannabinoids and their congeners: questions of selectivity and other challenges. Chem Phys Lipids 2002; 121:111-34. [PMID: 12505695 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-3084(02)00157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The major endocannabinoids, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, 20:4n-6 N-acylethanolamine) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are structurally and functionally similar, but they are produced by different metabolic pathways and their levels must therefore be regulated by different mechanisms. Both endocannabinoids are accompanied by cannabinoid receptor-inactive, saturated and mono- or di-unsaturated congeners which can influence their metabolism and function. Here we review published data on the presence and production of anandamide and 2-AG and their congeners in mammalian cells and discuss this information in terms of their proposed signaling functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald H O Schmid
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801-16th Avenue N E, Austin, MN 55912, USA.
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Maccarrone M, Bari M, Battista N, Finazzi-Agrò A. Estrogen stimulates arachidonoylethanolamide release from human endothelial cells and platelet activation. Blood 2002; 100:4040-8. [PMID: 12393387 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-05-1444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen replacement therapy has been associated with reduction of cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women, though the mechanism for this benefit remains unclear. Here we show that at physiological concentrations estrogen activates the anandamide membrane transporter of human endothelial cells and leads to rapid elevation of calcium (apparent within 5 minutes) and release of nitric oxide (within 15 minutes). These effects are mediated by estrogen binding to a surface receptor, which shows an apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) of 9.4 +/- 1.4 nM, a maximum binding (B(max)) of 356 +/- 12 fmol x mg protein(-1), and an apparent molecular mass of approximately 60 kDa. We also show that estrogen binding to surface receptors leads to stimulation of the anandamide-synthesizing enzyme phospholipase D and to inhibition of the anandamide-hydrolyzing enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, the latter effect mediated by 15-lipoxygenase activity. Because the endothelial transporter is shown to move anandamide across the cell membranes bidirectionally, taken together these data suggest that the physiological activity of estrogen is to stimulate the release, rather than the uptake, of anandamide from endothelial cells. Moreover, we show that anandamide released from estrogen-stimulated endothelial cells, unlike estrogen itself, inhibits the secretion of serotonin from adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated platelets. Therefore, it is suggested that the peripheral actions of anandamide could be part of the molecular events responsible for the beneficial effects of estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
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Silva VS, Cordeiro JM, Matos MJ, Oliveira CR, Gonçalves PP. Aluminum accumulation and membrane fluidity alteration in synaptosomes isolated from rat brain cortex following aluminum ingestion: effect of cholesterol. Neurosci Res 2002; 44:181-93. [PMID: 12354633 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-0102(02)00128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, we studied the effect of cholesterol/phospholipid (CH/PL) molar ratio on aluminum accumulation and aluminum-induced alteration of membrane fluidity in rat brain cortex synaptosomes. We observed that sub-acute (daily supply of 1.00 g of AlCl(3) during 10 days) and chronic (daily supply of 0.03 g of AlCl(3) during 4 months) exposure to dietary aluminum leads to a synaptosomal aluminum enrichment of 45 and 59%, respectively. During chronic exposure to AlCl(3), the enhancement of aluminum content was prevented by administration of colestipol (0.31 g/day), which decreased the synaptosomal membrane CH/PL molar ratio (nmol/nmol) from 1.2 to 0.4. Fluorescence anisotropy analysis, using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1-(4-(trimethylamino)phenyl)-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (TMA-DPH), showed that after treatment with colestipol a decrease in membrane order occurs at the level of hydrophilic lipid-water surface and deeper hydrophobic region of the synaptosomal membrane. When the rats were exposed to aluminum, it was observed a significant enhancement of membrane fluidity, which was more pronounced at the level of the membrane hydrophilic regions. Meanwhile, when chronic exposure to dietary AlCl(3) was accompanied by treatment with colestipol, the aluminum-induced decrease in membrane order was negligible when compared to TMA-DPH and DPH anisotropy values measured upon colestipol treatment. In contrast, in vitro incubation of synaptosomes (isolated from control rats) with AlCl(3) induced a concentration-dependent rigidification of this more hydrophilic membrane region. The opposite action of aluminum on synaptosomal membrane fluidity, during in vivo and in vitro experiments, appears to be explained by alteration of synaptosomal CH/PL molar ratio, since a significant reduction (approximately 80%) of this parameter occurs during in vivo exposure to aluminum. In conclusion, during in vivo exposure to aluminum, fluidification of hydrophilic regions and reduction of CH/PL molar ratio of presynaptic membranes accompany the accumulation of this cation, which appear to restrict aluminum retention in brain cortex nerve terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgília S Silva
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e Mar, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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