title: Cannabinoid signaling in glioma cells.
abstract: Cannabinoids are a group of structurally heterogeneous but pharmacologically related compounds, including plant-derived cannabinoids, synthetic substances and endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Cannabinoids elicit a wide range of central and peripheral effects mostly mediated through cannabinoid receptors. There are two types of specific G(i/o)-protein-coupled receptors cloned so far, called CB1 and CB2, although an existence of additional cannabinoid-binding receptors has been suggested. CB1 and CB2 differ in their predicted amino acid sequence, tissue distribution, physiological role and signaling mechanisms. Significant alterations of a balance in the cannabinoid system between the levels of endogenous ligands and their receptors occur during malignant transformation in various types of cancer, including gliomas. Cannabinoids exert anti-proliferative action in tumor cells. Induction of cell death by cannabinoid treatment relies on the generation of a pro-apoptotic sphingolipid ceramide and disruption of signaling pathways crucial for regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis. Increased ceramide levels lead also to ER-stress and autophagy in drug-treated glioblastoma cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Transcription Regulation, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3, Pasteur Str., PL 02-093, Warsaw, Poland. aellert@nencki.gov.pl
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellert-Miklaszewska
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ciechomska
authors.forename: Bozena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaminska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid