Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipids able to activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets of the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) active principle Δ9-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.
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Acknowledgements
I like to thank Dr. Filomena Fezza and Monica Bari (Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy) for kindly preparing the artwork. This investigation was partly supported by funding from the Italian Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (grant PRIN 2010-2011).
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Maccarrone, M. (2016). Need for Methods to Investigate Endocannabinoid Signaling. In: Maccarrone, M. (eds) Endocannabinoid Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1412. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_1
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