title: Biosynthesis and Fate of Endocannabinoids.
abstract: Since the discovery of the two cannabinoid receptors, CB(1) and CB(2), several molecules, commonly defined as endocannabinoids, able to bind to and functionally activate these receptors, have been discovered and characterized. Although the general thought was that the endocannabinoids were mainly derivatives of the n-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid, recent data have shown that also derivatives (ethanolamides) of n-3 fatty acids may be classified as endocannabinoids. Whether the n-3 endocannabinoids follow the same biosynthetic and metabolic routes of the n-6 endocannabinoids is not yet clear and so warrants further investigation. In this review, we describe the primary biosynthetic and metabolic pathways for the two well-established endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK. m.cascio@abdn.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cascio
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marini
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005989:Glycerides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008994:Monoacylglycerol Lipases / Q000378:metabolism; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000581:Amidohydrolases; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D008994:Monoacylglycerol Lipases; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C552558:ABHD12 protein, human; C540878:ABHD6 protein, human; C523108:NAAA protein, human; C078814:anandamide
keywords: 2-arachidonoylglycerol; Anandamide; Biosynthesis; Degradation; Endocannabinoids; Uptake