title: The endocannabinoid system: function in survival of the embryo, the newborn and the neuron.
abstract: Since the identification and cloning of the first cannabinoid (CB1) receptor and the subsequent discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid ligands (endocannabinoids), anandamide, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and noladin ether, a intensive search for their function in health and disease has been launched. The endocannabinoids in the central nervous system bind Gi/o coupled CB1 receptors that modulate adenylyl cyclase, ion channels and extracellular signal-regulated kinases. The present review discusses the nature of endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2-AG) neurotransmission, the activity of cannabinoids and the possibility that some of these activities are mediated via a receptor, yet to be discovered, which is distinct from the brain specific CB1 receptor. Three physiological functions in which the endocannabinoids play a critical role are also discussed: embryonal implantation, feeding and appetite, and neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Judea, Ariel, Israel. esty@cc.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fride
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shohami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug