title: Biosynthesis, degradation and pharmacological importance of the fatty acid amides.
abstract: The identification of two biologically active fatty acid amides, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and oleamide, has generated a great deal of excitement and stimulated considerable research. However, anandamide and oleamide are merely the best-known and best-understood members of a much larger family of biologically occurring fatty acid amides. In this review, we will outline which fatty acid amides have been isolated from mammalian sources, detail what is known about how these molecules are made and degraded in vivo, and highlight their potential for the development of novel therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
authors.forename: Emma K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Merkler
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D024322:Amino Acids, Aromatic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D024322:Amino Acids, Aromatic; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009829:Oleic Acids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C029407:oleylamide; C078814:anandamide; D004298:Dopamine