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Cell signaling by endocannabinoids and their congeners: questions of selectivity and other challenges

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 121; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0009-3084(02)00157-3

1873-2941

Harald H.O. Schmid, Patricia C. Schmid, Evgueni V. Berdyshev,

GABA and Rice Research

The major endocannabinoids, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, 20:4n−6 N-acylethanolamine) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are structurally and functionally similar, but they are produced by different metabolic pathways and their levels must therefore be regulated by different mechanisms. Both endocannabinoids are accompanied by cannabinoid receptor-inactive, saturated and mono- or di-unsaturated congeners which can influence their metabolism and function. Here we review published data on the presence and production of anandamide and 2-AG and their congeners in mammalian cells and discuss this information in terms of their proposed signaling functions.