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Need for Methods to Investigate Endocannabinoid Signaling

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Endocannabinoid Signaling

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2576))

Abstract

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipids able to bind to 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 orderto 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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Acknowledgments

I 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’Università e della Ricerca (MUR) under a competitive PRIN 2017 grant and from Università degli Studi dell’Aquila under intramural competitive grants “RIA 2021” and “Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo 2021.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Mauro Maccarrone

  2. European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Mauro Maccarrone

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  1. Mauro Maccarrone
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Correspondence to Mauro Maccarrone .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Mauro Maccarrone

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Maccarrone, M. (2023). Need for Methods to Investigate Endocannabinoid Signaling. In: Maccarrone, M. (eds) Endocannabinoid Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2576. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-2727-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-2728-0

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