title: Monoacylglycerol lipase regulates 2-arachidonoylglycerol action and arachidonic acid levels.
abstract: The structure-activity relationships of organophosphorus (OP) and organosulfur compounds were examined in vitro and in vivo as inhibitors of mouse brain monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) hydrolysis of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and agonist binding at the CB1 receptor. Several compounds showed exceptional potency toward MAGL activity with IC(50) values of 0.1-10 nM in vitro and high inhibition at 10mg/kg intraperitoneally in mice. We find for the first time that MAGL activity is a major in vivo determinant of 2-AG and arachidonic acid levels not only in brain but also in spleen, lung, and liver. Apparent direct OP inhibition of CB1 agonist binding may be due instead to metabolic stabilization of 2-AG in brain membranes as the actual inhibitor.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, 115 Wellman Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3112, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Carolyn S S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hudak
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Burston
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: Karl J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abood
authors.forename: Jenny L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.forename: Aron H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lichtman
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Casida