Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:4.6.1.1 (adenylate cyclase)
19,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The major psychoactive component of cannabis derivatives, delta9-THC, activates two G-protein coupled receptors: CB1 and CB2. Soon after the discovery of these receptors, their endogenous ligands were identified: lipid metabolites of arachidonic acid, named endocannabinoids. The two major main and most studied endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonyl-glycerol. The CB1 receptor is massively expressed through-out the central nervous system whereas CB2 expression seems restricted to immune cells. Following endocannabinoid binding, CB1 receptors modulate second messenger cascades (inhibition of adenylate cyclase, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and of focal-adhesion kinases) as well as ionic conductances (inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channels, activation of several potassium channels). Endocannabinoids transiently silence synapses by decreasing neurotransmitter release, play major parts in various forms of synaptic plasticity because of their ability to behave as retrograde messengers and activate non-cannabinoid receptors (such as vanilloid receptor type-1), illustrating the complexity of the endocannabinoid system. The diverse cellular targets of endocannabinoids are at the origin of the promising therapeutic potentials of the endocannabinoid system.
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PMID:[Endocannabinoids in the central nervous system]. 1477 Mar 63

We hypothesized that ethanol (EtOH) might act through the endocannabinoid system to inhibit luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release. Therefore, we examined the mechanism by which EtOH and anandamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid, inhibit LHRH release from incubated medial basal hypothalamic explants. In previous work, we demonstrated that EtOH inhibits the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-stimulated release of LHRH by increasing the release of two neurotransmitters: beta-endorphin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present work, bicuculline, a GABAergic antagonist, completely prevented the inhibition of AEA (10(-9)M) on N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced LHRH release, but naltrexone, a micro-opioid receptor antagonist, had no effect. AEA also significantly increased GABA release but had no effect on beta-endorphin release. Therefore, AEA could inhibit LHRH release by increasing GABA but not beta-endorphin release. Because EtOH and AEA acted similarly to inhibit LHRH release, we investigated whether both substances would affect the adenylate cyclase activity acting through the same GTP-coupled receptors, the cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1-rs). AEA and EtOH (10(-1)M) reduced the forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cAMP, but AM251, a specific antagonist of CB1-r, significantly blocked that inhibition. Additionally we investigated whether CB1-r is involved in the inhibition of LHRH by EtOH and AEA. AEA and EtOH reduced forskolin-stimulated LHRH release, but AM251 significantly blocked that inhibition. Also, we demonstrated that EtOH did not act by increasing AEA synthase activity to inhibit LHRH release in our experimental conditions. Therefore, our results indicate that EtOH inhibits the release of LHRH acting through the endocannabinoid system.
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PMID:Alcohol inhibits luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone release by activating the endocannabinoid system. 1498 Dec 61

Activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the cerebellum acutely depresses excitatory synaptic transmission at parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapses by decreasing the probability of glutamate release. This depression involves the activation of presynaptic 4-aminopyridine-sensitive K(+) channels by CB1 receptors, which in turn inhibits presynaptic Ca(2+) influx controlling glutamate release at these synapses. Using rat cerebellar frontal slices and fluorometric measures of presynaptic Ca(2+) influx evoked by stimulation of parallel fibres with the fluorescent dye fluo-4FF, we tested whether the CB1 receptor-mediated inhibition of this influx also involves a direct inhibition of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels. Since various physiological effects of CB1 receptors appear to be mediated through the activation of PTX-sensitive proteins, including inhibition of adenylate cyclases, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) channels, we also studied the potential involvement of these intracellular signal transduction pathways in the cannabinoid-mediated depression of presynaptic Ca(2+) influx. The present study demonstrates that the molecular mechanisms underlying the CB1 inhibitory effect involve the activation of the PTX-sensitive G(i)/G(o) subclass of G proteins, independently of any direct effect on presynaptic Ca(2+) channels (N, P/Q and R (SNX-482-sensitive) types) or on adenylate cyclase or MAPK activity, but do require the activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying (Ba(2+)- and tertiapin Q-sensitive) K(+) channels, in addition to 4-aminopyridine-sensitive K(+) channels.
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PMID:Mechanisms underlying cannabinoid inhibition of presynaptic Ca2+ influx at parallel fibre synapses of the rat cerebellum. 1503 29

Cannabinoids are broadly immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory properties have been reported for certain marijuana constituents and endogenously produced cannabinoids. The CB2 cannabinoid receptor is an established constituent of immune system cells, and we have recently established that the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is expressed in mast cells. In the present study, we sought to define a role for CB1 in mast cells and to identify the signalling pathways that may mediate the suppressive effects of CB1 ligation on mast cell activation. Our results show that CB1 and CB2 mediate diametrically opposed effects on cAMP levels in mast cells. The observed long-term stimulation of cAMP levels by the Galpha(i/o)-coupled CB1 is paradoxical, and our results indicate that it may be attributed to CB1-mediated transcriptional regulation of specific adenylate cyclase isoenzymes that exhibit superactivatable kinetics. Taken together, these results reveal the complexity in signalling of natively co-expressed cannabinoid receptors and suggest that some anti-inflammatory effects of CB1 ligands may be attributable to sustained cAMP elevation that, in turn, causes suppression of mast cell degranulation.
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PMID:Anti-inflammatory potential of CB1-mediated cAMP elevation in mast cells. 1566 19

In this study, we have determined the contractile effects of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor activation on rat isolated atria and the different signaling pathways involved. Anandamide did not has significantly effect on atria contractility, however, the treatment with both CB1 (AM251) or CB2 (AM630) receptor antagonists, the endocannabinoids triggered stimulation or inhibition on contractility respectively. The ACEA stimulation of CB1 receptor exerted decrease on contractility, that significantly correlated with the decrement of cAMP and the stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP). On the contrary, JWH 015 stimulation of CB2 receptor triggered positive contractile response that significantly correlated with the increase cAMP production. The inhibiton of adenylate cyclase activity impaired the JWH 015 activation of CB1 receptor induced positive contractile effect, while inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), NOS and soluble nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive guanylate cyclase blocked the dose-response curves of ACEA on contractility. Those inhibitors also attenuated the CB1 receptor-dependent increase in activation of NOS and cGMP accumulation. These results suggest that CB2 receptor agonist mediated positive contractile effect associated with increased production on cAMP while CB1 receptor agonist mediated decrease on contractility associated with decreased cAMP accumulation and increase production of NO and cGMP; that occur secondarily to stimulation of PLC, NOS and soluble guanylate cyclase. Data give pharmacological evidence for the existence of functional CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in rat isolated atria and may contribute to a better understanding the effects of cannabinoids in the cardiovascular system.
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PMID:Differential CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor-inotropic response of rat isolated atria: endogenous signal transduction pathways. 1588 56

Arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA) has been identified as an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Characterization of the direct cannabimimetic actions of anandamide has been hampered by its short duration of action and rapid degradation in in vivo and in vitro systems to arachidonic acid, a precursor in the biosynthesis of a broad range of biologically active molecules. In the present studies, we utilized 2-methylarachidonyl-(2'-fluoroethyl)amide (F-Me-AEA), an analog of anandamide resistant to enzymatic degradation, to determine whether F-Me-AEA modulated T cell function similar to that of plant-derived cannabinoids. Indeed, F-Me-AEA at low micromolar concentrations exhibited a marked inhibition of phorbol ester plus calcium ionophore (PMA/Io)-induced IL-2 protein secretion and steady state mRNA expression. Likewise, a modest suppression of the mixed lymphocyte response was observed in the presence of F-Me-AEA indicating an alteration in T cell responsiveness to allogeneic MHC class II antigens. F-Me-AEA was also found to modestly inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in thymocytes and splenocytes, a hallmark of cannabinoid receptor agonists. Further characterization of the influence of F-Me-AEA on the cAMP signaling cascade revealed an inhibition of CREB-1/ATF-1 phosphorylation and subsequently, an inhibition of CRE DNA binding activity. Characterization of nuclear binding proteins further revealed that NF-AT and, to a lesser extent, NF-kappaB DNA binding activities were also suppressed. These studies demonstrate that F-Me-AEA modulates T cell function in a similar manner to plant-derived and endogenous cannabinoids and therefore can be utilized as an amidase- and hydrolysis-resistant endogenous cannabinoid.
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PMID:Inhibition of leukocyte function and interleukin-2 gene expression by 2-methylarachidonyl-(2'-fluoroethyl)amide, a stable congener of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand anandamide. 1589 38

1. The profile of opioid and cannabinoid receptors in neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has been studied using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. 2. Experiments with selective agonists and antagonists of opioid, ORL and cannabinoid receptors indicated that mu-opioid, kappa-opioid, ORL-1 and CB1, but not delta-opioid, receptors inhibit VDCCs in NTS. 3. Application of [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO; mu-opioid receptor agonist), Orphanin FQ (ORL-1 receptor agonist) and WIN55,122 (CB1 receptor agonist) caused inhibition of I(Ba) in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50's of 390 nM, 220 nM and 2.2 microM, respectively. 4. Intracellular dialysis of the G(i)-protein antibody attenuated DAMGO-, Orphanin FQ- and WIN55,122-induced inhibition of I(Ba). 5. Both pretreatment with adenylate cyclase inhibitor and intracellular dialysis of the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor attenuated WIN55,122-induced inhibition of I(Ba) but not DAMGO- and Orphanin FQ-induced inhibition. 6. Mainly N- and P/Q-type VDCCs were inhibited by both DAMGO and Orphanin FQ, while L-type VDCCs were inhibited by WIN55,122. 7. These results suggest that mu- and kappa-opioid receptors and ORL-1 receptor inhibit N- and P/Q-type VDCCs via G alpha(i)-protein betagamma subunits, whereas CB1 receptors inhibit L-type VDCCs via G alpha(i)-proteins involving PKA in NTS.
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PMID:Pharmacological characterization of inhibitory effects of postsynaptic opioid and cannabinoid receptors on calcium currents in neonatal rat nucleus tractus solitarius. 1640 42

Two cannabinoid receptors have been identified to date. The first of these, designated CB1, is localized primarily in the central nervous system but is also present at lower levels in other tissues. The second receptor, CB2, has been found natively in cells of the immune system. Both receptors have an extracellular amine-terminal domain, seven transmembrane domains, an intracellular carboxy-terminal domain, and are coupled through G proteins to adenylate cyclase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. In this chapter, a series of experimental protocols is presented that allows for the systematic identification and localization of cannabinoid receptors in tissues and cells. Immunoperoxidase staining for light microscopy is complemented with correlative application for electron microscopy. This approach is followed by that using immunogold labeling for high-resolution definition of cannabinoid receptor distribution at the ultrastructural level.
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PMID:Localization of cannabinoid receptors using immunoperoxidase methods. 1650 1

Cannabinoid signalling is an important mechanism of synaptic modulation in the nervous system. Endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonyl-glycerol) are synthesized and released via calcium-activated biosynthetic pathways. Exogenous cannabinoids and endocannabinoids act on CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are neuronal receptors which couple via G-proteins to inhibition of adenylate cyclase or to activation or inhibition of ion channels. CB2 receptors are expressed by immune cells and cannabinoids can suppress immune function. In the central nervous system, the endocannabinoids may function as retrograde signals released by the postsynaptic neuron to inhibit neurotransmitter release from presynaptic nerve terminals. Enteric neurons also express CB receptors. Exogenously applied CB receptor agonists inhibit enteric neuronal activity but it is not clear if endocannabinoids released by enteric neurons can produce similar responses in the enteric nervous system (ENS). In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Boesmans et al. show that CB1 receptor activation on myenteric neurons maintained in primary culture can suppress neuronal activity, inhibit synaptic transmission and mitochondrial transport along axons. They also provide initial evidence that myenteric neurons (or other cell types present in the cultures) release endocannabinoids and which activate CB1 receptors constitutively. These data provide new information about targets for cannabinoid signalling in the ENS and highlight the potential importance of CB receptors as drug targets. It is necessary that future work extends these interesting findings to intact tissues and ideally to the in vivo setting.
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PMID:Cannabinoid signalling in the enteric nervous system. 1937 36

Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has gained a lot of attention recently due to the increased prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipedemia. The endogenous compounds, endocannabinoids (ECBs), bind to the same receptors as tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component in marijuana and hashish. Recently, two G-proteins coupled, and specific receptors, to cannabinoids, CB1 & CB2, which act via adenylate cyclase and calcium channels, were described. In this brief review, we shed light on the possible relation between NASH and these proteins. It has been hypothesized that ECBs regulate peripheral lipogenesis. Some studies suggest that in CB1-deficient mice there is complete resistance to the development of diet-induced hepatic steatosis, while wild-type mice showed remarkable hepatic steatosis after 3 and 14 weeks of high-fat diet. Based on these results and others, the hepatic ECB system may be a target for the treatment of NASH. The CB1 antagonist, Rimonabant, will shortly be approved for the treatment of obesity and may thus reduce the necessity for bariatric surgery.
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PMID:Endocannabinoids and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. 1985 84


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