Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P21554 (cannabinoid receptor)
 3,582 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells inhibits adenylate cyclase, and this response can be mimicked by a peptide corresponding to the juxtamembrane C-terminal domain (CB(1)401-417). Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding to G proteins can be stimulated by both peptide CB(1)401-417 and peptides corresponding to the third intracellular loop [Howlett, A.C., Song, C., Berglund, B.A., Wilken, G.H. & Pigg, J.J. (1998) Mol. Pharmacol. 53, 504-510; Mukhopadhyay, S., Cowsik, S.M., Welsh, W.J. & Howlett, A.C. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 3447-3455]. In Chaps-solubilized N18TG2 membranes, the CB1 receptor coimmunoprecipitated with all three Gi subtypes. Pertussis toxin significantly reduced the CB(1) receptor-G alpha(i) association and attenuated the CB(1)401-417-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase. CB(1)401-417 significantly reduced the CB(1) receptor association with G alpha(i3), but not with G alpha(i1) or G alpha(i2). In contrast, third intracellular loop peptides significantly reduced the CB(1) receptor association with G alpha(i1) and G alpha(i2), but not G alpha(i3). These interactions are specific for the CB(1) receptor because a peptide corresponding to the juxtamembrane C-terminal domain of the CB(2) receptor failed to compete for the association of the CB1 receptor with any of the Gi alpha subtypes, and was not able to activate Gi proteins to inhibit adenylate cyclase. These studies indicate that different domains of the CB(1) receptor direct the interaction with specific G protein subtypes.
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PMID:CB1 receptor-G protein association. Subtype selectivity is determined by distinct intracellular domains. 1116 87

In invertebrates, like Hydra and sea urchins, evidence for a functional cannabinoid system was described. The partial characterization of a putative CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the leech Hirudo medicinalis led us to investigate the presence of a complete endogenous cannabinoid system in this organism. By using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we demonstrate the presence of the endocannabinoids anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, 21.5+/-0.7 pmol/g) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (147.4+/-42.7 pmol/g), and of the biosynthetic precursor of anandamide, N-arachidonylphosphatidyl-ethanolamine (16.5+/-3.3 pmol/g), in the leech central nervous system (CNS). Anandamide-related molecules such as N-palmitoylethanolamine (32.4+/-1.6 pmol/g) and N-linolenoylethanolamine (5.8 pmol/g) were also detected. We also found an anandamide amidase activity in the leech CNS cytosolic fraction with a maximal activity at pH 7 and little sensitivity to typical fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors. Using an antiserum directed against the amidase signature sequence, we focused on the identification and the localization of the leech amidase. Firstly, leech nervous system protein extract was subjected to Western blot analysis, which showed three immunoreactive bands at ca. approximately 42, approximately 46 and approximately 66 kDa. The former and latter bands were very faint and were also detected in whole homogenates from the coelenterate Hydra vulgaris, where the presence of CB1-like receptors, endocannabinoids and a FAAH-like activity was reported previously. Secondly, amidase immunocytochemical detection revealed numerous immunoreactive neurons in the CNS of three species of leeches. In addition, we observed that leech amidase-like immunoreactivity matches to a certain extent with CB1-like immunoreactivity. Finally, we also found that stimulation by anandamide of this receptor leads, as in mammals, to inhibition of cAMP formation, although this effect appeared to be occurring through the previously described anandamide-induced and CB1-mediated activation of nitric oxide release. Taken together, these results suggest the existence of a complete and functional cannabinoid system in leeches.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2001 Mar 05
PMID:Evidence for an endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. 1124 16

Cannabinoids exert most of their effects through the CB(1) receptor. This G protein-coupled receptor signals inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, modulation of ion channels, and stimulation of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinases. In this article, we report that Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active component of marijuana, induces sphingomyelin hydrolysis in primary astrocytes but not in other cells expressing the CB(1) receptor, such as primary neurons, U373 MG astrocytoma cells, and Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the CB(1) receptor cDNA. THC-evoked sphingomyelin breakdown in astrocytes was also exerted by the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide and the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210 and was prevented by the selective CB(1) antagonist SR141716. By contrast, the effect of THC was not blocked by pertussis toxin, pointing to a lack of involvement of G(i/o) proteins. A role for the adaptor protein FAN in CB(1) receptor-coupled sphingomyelin breakdown is supported by two observations: 1) coimmunoprecipitation experiments show that the binding of FAN to the CB(1) receptor is enhanced by THC and prevented by SR141716; 2) cells expressing a dominant-negative form of FAN are refractory to THC-induced sphingomyelin breakdown. This is the first report showing that a G-protein-coupled receptor induces sphingomyelin hydrolysis through FAN and that the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor may signal independently of G(i/o) proteins.
Mol Pharmacol 2001 May
PMID:The CB(1) cannabinoid receptor of astrocytes is coupled to sphingomyelin hydrolysis through the adaptor protein fan. 1130 75

The purpose of these studies was to support the hypothesis that an undiscovered cannabinoid receptor exists in brain. [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding was stimulated by anandamide and WIN55212-2 in brain membranes from both CB(1)(+/+) and CB(1)(-/-) mice. In contrast, a wide variety of other compounds that are known to activate CB(1) receptors, including CP55940, HU-210, and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, failed to stimulate [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding in CB(1)(-/-) membranes. In CB(1)(-/-) membranes, SR141716A affected both basal and anandamide- or WIN55212-2-induced stimulation of [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding only at concentrations greater than 1 microM. In CB(1)(+/+) membranes, SR141716A inhibited only 84% of anandamide and 67% of WIN55212-2 stimulated [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding with an affinity appropriate for mediation by CB(1) receptors (K(B) approximately 0.5 nM). The remaining stimulation seemed to be inhibited with lower potency (IC(50) approximately 5 microM) similar to that seen in CB(1)(-/-) membranes or in the absence of agonist. Further experiments determined that the effects of anandamide and WIN55212-2 were not additive, but that the effect of mu opioid, adenosine A1, and cannabinoid ligands were additive. Finally, assays of different central nervous system (CNS) regions demonstrated significant activity of cannabinoids in CB(1)(-/-) membranes from brain stem, cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, midbrain, and spinal cord, but not basal ganglia or cerebellum. Moreover, some of these same CNS regions also showed significant binding of [(3)H]WIN55212-2, but not [(3)H]CP55940. Thus anandamide and WIN55212-2 seemed to be active in CB(1)(-/-) mouse brain membranes via a common G protein-coupled receptor with a distinct CNS distribution, implying the existence of an unknown cannabinoid receptor subtype in brain.
Mol Pharmacol 2001 Jul
PMID:Evidence for a new G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor in mouse brain. 1140 10

Prolonged exposure to cannabinoids results in tolerance in vivo and desensitization of cannabinoid receptors in vitro. We show here that cannabinoid-induced presynaptic inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission desensitized after prolonged exposure to the cannabinoid receptor agonist (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo-[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-napthalenyl)methanone monomethanesulfonate (Win55,212-2). Synaptic activity between hippocampal neurons in culture was determined from network-driven increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i) spikes) and excitatory postsynaptic currents. Win55,212-2-induced (100 nM) inhibition partially desensitized after 2 h and completely desensitized after 18- to 24-h exposure. The desensitization could be overcome by higher concentrations of agonist as indicated by a parallel rightward shift of the concentration response curve from an EC(50) of 2.7 +/- 0.3 nM to 320 +/- 147 nM for inhibition of [Ca(2+)](i) spiking and from 43 +/- 17 nM to 4505 +/- 403 nM for inhibition of synaptic currents, suggesting that this phenomenon may underlie tolerance. Presynaptic expression of dominant negative G-protein-coupled-receptor kinase (GRK2-Lys220Arg) or beta-arrestin (319-418) reduced the desensitization produced by 18- to 24-h pretreatment with 100 nM, Win55,212-2 suggesting that desensitization followed the prototypical pathway for G-protein-coupled receptors. Prolonged treatment with Win55,212-2 produced a modest increase in the EC(50) for adenosine inhibition of synaptic transmission and pretreatment with cyclopentyladenosine produced a slight increase in the EC(50) for Win55,212-2, suggesting a reciprocal ability to produce heterologous desensitization. The long-term changes in synaptic function that accompany chronic cannabinoid exposure will be an important factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of these drugs and will provide insight into the role of the endocannabinoid system.
Mol Pharmacol 2002 Mar
PMID:Desensitization of cannabinoid-mediated presynaptic inhibition of neurotransmission between rat hippocampal neurons in culture. 1185 27

The formation of N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs), including the cannabinoid receptor ligand anandamide, and their precursors N-acyl-ethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs) are catalyzed by NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) and N-acyl-transferase, respectively. NAPE and NAE are suggested to have beneficial effects on the heart, but in the literature there are indications of species differences in the activity of these enzymes. We have examined heart microsomes from rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, frogs, cows, dogs, cats, mini pigs and human beings for activities of these two enzymes. N-Acyl-transferase activity was very high in dogs and cats (>13 pmol/min/mg protein) whereas it was very low to barely detectable in the other species (<3 pmol/min/mg protein). NAPE-PLD activity was very high in rats and guinea pigs (>45 pmol/min/mg protein) whereas it was 9 pmol/min/mg protein in frogs and below that in the other species. The ratio of activity between the two enzymes varied from 0.002 to 15 in the investigated species. The activity of the two enzymes in rat hearts as opposed to rat brain did not change during development. These results indicate that there may be substantial species differences in the generation of anandamide and other NAEs as well as NAPEs in heart tissues.
Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2002 Mar
PMID:Substantial species differences in relation to formation and degradation of N-acyl-ethanolamine phospholipids in heart tissue: an enzyme activity study. 1195 29

To identify novel genes involved in cannabinoid receptor-mediated signaling, we used cDNA microarrays to detect changes in mRNA expression in the forebrains of mice 12 h after they were given a single intraperitoneal dose of the naturally-occurring Cannabis sativa alkaloid Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) or the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (R)-(+)-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(morpholinyl)methyl] pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-yl-1-naphtalenylmethanone mesylate [R(+)-WIN 55,212-2]. Of approximately 11,000 genes from a mouse brain cDNA library that were probed, 65 showed altered (increased or decreased at least 2-fold) expression after exposure to Delta(9)-THC, 41 after exposure to R(+)-WIN 55,212-2, and 20 genes after exposure to both drugs. Genes affected similarly by Delta(9)-THC and R(+)-WIN 55,212-2 were considered likely to reflect cannabinoid receptor activation, and expression of the protein products of two such genes not previously implicated in cannabinoid signaling-melanocyte-specific gene-related gene 1 (MRG1) and hexokinase 4 (glucokinase, GK)-was measured by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Western blots showed approximately 2-fold increases in the levels of both proteins in mouse forebrain. Immunohistochemistry revealed preferential localization of MRG1 to cerebral blood vessels and of GK to hypothalamic neurons. These findings suggest that MRG1 and GK are cannabinoid-regulated genes and that they may be involved in the vascular and hypothalamic effects of cannabinoids, respectively.
Mol Pharmacol 2002 Oct
PMID:DNA microarray analysis of cannabinoid signaling in mouse brain in vivo. 1223 29

Anandamide triggers various cellular activities by binding to cannabinoid (CB1/CB2) receptors or vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1). However, the role of these receptors in anandamide-induced apoptosis remains largely unknown. Here, we show that SR141716A, a specific inhibitor of cannabinoid receptor (CB1-R), did not block anandamide-induced cell death in endogenously CB1-R expressing cells. In addition, CB1-R-lacking Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells underwent cell death after anandamide treatment. SR144528, a specific inhibitor of CB2-R also failed to block anandamide-induced cell death in HL-60 cells. Capsazepine, a specific antagonist of VR1 could not prevent anandamide-induced cell death in constitutively and endogenously VR1 expressing PC12 cells. Moreover, anandamide noticeably triggered cell death in VR1-lacking human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. In contrast, methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MCD), a membrane cholesterol depletor, completely blocked anandamide-induced cell death in a variety of cells, including PC12, C6, Neuro-2a, CHO, HEK, SMC, Jurkat and HL-60 cells. MCD also blocked anandamide-induced superoxide generation, phosphatidyl serine exposure and p38 MAPK/JNK activation. Thus, our data imply a novel role for of membrane lipid rafts in anandamide-induced cell death.
Cell Mol Life Sci 2003 Jun
PMID:Anandamide induces cell death independently of cannabinoid receptors or vanilloid receptor 1: possible involvement of lipid rafts. 1286 85

In addition to their inhibitory effects, cannabinoids also exert stimulatory activity which can be detected at the cellular level. In a previous study, we demonstrated a stimulatory effect of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist desacetyllevonantradol (DALN) on Ca(2+) flux into N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells, and suggested a dual mechanism: one pathway mediated by PKA and the other one by protein kinase C (PKC). Here we studied the PKC-mediated effect of DALN on Ca(2+) influx. The stimulatory effect of DALN on Ca(2+) influx was partially blocked by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, by the metalloprotease inhibitor o-phenanthroline and by the MEK (mitogen-activated protein-kinase kinase, MAPK kinase) inhibitor PD98059. Immunobloting of ERK1/2 MAPK demonstrated phosphorylation by DALN, and indicated the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosin kinases (RTKs) in MAPK activation as it was blocked by oxindole-1. Transactivation of the VEGFR-MAPK cascade by DALN involved CB1 cannabinoid receptors coupled to Gi/Go GTP-binding proteins as it was blocked by SR141716A and by pertussis toxin (PTX). The pharmacological implications of this novel mechanism of cannabinoid activity are discussed.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2004 Jan 05
PMID:The involvement of VEGF receptors and MAPK in the cannabinoid potentiation of Ca2+ flux into N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. 1474 3

We have previously reported that, depending on the dose, nitric oxide (NO)-generating agents exert a dual facilitatory and inhibitory action on glutamatergic transmission on the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying the NO-mediated synaptic inhibition have not yet been defined. Here we show that the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) was reversibly reduced by the NO donors 3-morpholinylsydnoneimine (SIN-1) (1 mM) and spermine NONOate (1 mM). This effect was antagonized by an active peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)prophyrinato iron (III) chloride, G(i/o)-coupled receptor blockers, N-ethylmaleimide and pertussis toxin, A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, or adenosine deaminase. However, NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, GABA(B) receptor antagonist (2S)-(+)-5,5-dimethyl-2-morpholineacetic acid (SCH50911), or cannabinoid receptor antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A) had no effect on the inhibitory action of SIN-1 on EPSCs. Perfusion of adenosine mimicked and subsequently occluded the action of SIN-1. Inhibition of EPSC amplitude by SIN-1 was associated with an increase in the paired-pulse ratio of EPSCs. Furthermore, SIN reduced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs without altering their amplitude of distribution. Pretreatment with N-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker omega-conotoxin GVIA selectively blocked SIN-1-induced inhibition of EPSCs. These results suggest that a higher dose of SIN-1 acts presynaptically to elicit a synaptic depression on the RVLM neurons through an inhibition of presynaptic N-type Ca(2+)-channel activity, leading to reduced glutamate release. The presynaptic action of SIN-1 is mediated by the formation of peroxynitrite, which subsequently acts to release adenosine to activate A(1) adenosine receptors.
Mol Pharmacol 2004 Sep
PMID:3-Morpholinylsydnonimine inhibits glutamatergic transmission in rat rostral ventrolateral medulla via peroxynitrite formation and adenosine release. 1532 40


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