title: Collaborating with Alexander Scriabine and the Miles Institute for Preclinical Pharmacology.
abstract: This article represents a timely opportunity to express my affection, admiration and gratitude to Professor David Triggle. David was my Ph.D. advisor as well as a key consultant in the 1980s and early 1990s for research programs at Miles Institute for Preclinical Pharmacology in West Haven, CT, the U.S. research operation of Bayer AG, in the areas of Ca(2+) and K(+) channel ligands. The binding methodology developed in his laboratory was used to search for an endogenous ligand for L-type Ca(2+) channels. We did not find the substance that we were searching for, a genetically-determined, competitive inhibitor for the 1,4-dihydropyridine binding site, but instead isolated the endogenous ligand for the brain's own marijuana, anandamide. Devane, Mechoulam and coworkers first discovered that this compound was the endogenous ligand for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active substance in cannabis. The endogenous endocannabinoid system is now the target of many exciting new approaches to drug discovery.
authors.affiliation: 656 High Ridge Rd., Orange CT 06477. Electronic address: janisra@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Janis
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000266:history; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000266:history / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000266:history; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000266:history / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000266:history / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology; D012106:Research / Q000266:history; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D015220:Calcium Channels; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D008024:Ligands; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D015221:Potassium Channels; C038806:1,4-dihydropyridine; C078814:anandamide
keywords: Anandamide; Calcium channel drugs; Endocannabinoid; Endogenous ligand; Potassium channel ligands