title: Biochemistry and pharmacology of the endocannabinoids arachidonylethanolamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol.
abstract: The purpose of this review is to discuss the cellular synthesis and inactivation of two putative endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptor, N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG). Both ligands are synthesized by neurons and brain tissue in response to increased intracellular calcium concentrations. Both ligands are substrates for fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Both AEA and 2-AG bind to the neuronal form of the cannabinoid receptor (CB1). AEA binds the receptor with moderate affinity and has the characteristics of a partial agonist, whereas, 2-AG binds with low affinity but exhibits full efficacy. Two possible physiological roles of the endocannabinoids and the CB1 receptor are discussed: the regulation of gestation and the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, USA. chillard@mcw.edu
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hillard
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000581:Amidohydrolases; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide