title: Need for Methods to Investigate Endocannabinoid Signaling.
abstract: Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipids able to activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets of the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) active principle Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol. During the last 20 years, several N-acylethanolamines and acylesters have been shown to act as eCBs, and a complex array of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters (that altogether form the so-called eCB system) has been shown to finely tune their manifold biological activities. It appears now urgent to develop methods and protocols that allow to assay in a specific and quantitative manner the distinct components of the eCB system, and that can properly localize them within the cell. A brief overview of eCBs and of the proteins that bind, transport, and metabolize these lipids is presented here, in order to put in a better perspective the relevance of methodologies that help to disclose molecular details of eCB signaling in health and disease. Proper methodological approaches form also the basis for a more rationale and effective drug design and therapeutic strategy to combat human disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy. m.maccarrone@unicampus.it.|European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143, Rome, Italy. m.maccarrone@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maccarrone
mesh_terms: D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012107:Research Design; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid
keywords: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol; Anandamide; Enzyme assays; Immunochemical assays; Intracellular trafficking; Localization; Metabolic routes; Oxidative pathways; Receptor binding assays; Signal transduction