Functional role of high-affinity anandamide transport, as revealed by selective inhibition.

M Beltramo,D Piomelli,A Makriyannis,A Calignano,N Stella,S Y Lin

doi:10.1126/science.277.5329.1094

M Beltramo, D Piomelli + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5329.1094

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Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)	Publication Date: Aug 22, 1997
Citations: 808	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Connecticut

Abstract

Anandamide, an endogenous ligand for central cannabinoid receptors, is released from neurons on depolarization and rapidly inactivated. Anandamide inactivation is not completely understood, but it may occur by transport into cells or by enzymatic hydrolysis. The compound N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide (AM404) was shown to inhibit high-affinity anandamide accumulation in rat neurons and astrocytes in vitro, an indication that this accumulation resulted from carrier-mediated transport. Although AM404 did not activate cannabinoid receptors or inhibit anandamide hydrolysis, it enhanced receptor-mediated anandamide responses in vitro and in vivo. The data indicate that carrier-mediated transport may be essential for termination of the biological effects of anandamide, and may represent a potential drug target.

Highlights

Anandamide, an endogenous ligand for central cannabinoid receptors, is released from neurons on depolarization and rapidly inactivated
AM404 did not activate cannabinoid receptors or inhibit anandamide hydrolysis, it enhanced receptor-mediated anandamide responses in vitro and in vivo
The low fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity found in brain plasma membranes indicates that this enzyme may be intracellular [5], a possibility that is further supported by sequence analysis of rat FAAH [6]

Summary

Introduction

Anandamide, an endogenous ligand for central cannabinoid receptors, is released from neurons on depolarization and rapidly inactivated. The compound N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide (AM404) was shown to inhibit high-affinity anandamide accumulation in rat neurons and astrocytes in vitro, an indication that this accumulation resulted from carrier-mediated transport. AM404 did not activate cannabinoid receptors or inhibit anandamide hydrolysis, it enhanced receptor-mediated anandamide responses in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Conclusion