2-Arachidonoylglycerol: A signaling lipid with manifold actions in the brain

Marc P Baggelaar; Mauro Maccarrone; Mario van der Stelt

doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2018.05.002

2-Arachidonoylglycerol: A signaling lipid with manifold actions in the brain

Prog Lipid Res. 2018 Jul:71:1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2018.05.002. Epub 2018 May 8.

Authors

Marc P Baggelaar¹, Mauro Maccarrone², Mario van der Stelt³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
² Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy; European Centre for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via del Fosso del Fiorano 65, 00143 Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.. Electronic address: m.van.der.stelt@chem.leidenuniv.nl.

PMID: 29751000
DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2018.05.002

Abstract

2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is a signaling lipid in the central nervous system that is a key regulator of neurotransmitter release. 2-AG is an endocannabinoid that activates the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor. It is involved in a wide array of (patho)physiological functions, such as emotion, cognition, energy balance, pain sensation and neuroinflammation. In this review, we describe the biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of 2-AG and how chemical and genetic perturbation of these pathways has led to insight in the biological role of this signaling lipid. Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic benefits of modulating 2-AG levels in the brain.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Arachidonic Acids / chemical synthesis
Arachidonic Acids / chemistry
Arachidonic Acids / metabolism*
Biosynthetic Pathways
Brain / metabolism*
Endocannabinoids / chemical synthesis
Endocannabinoids / chemistry
Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
Glycerides / chemical synthesis
Glycerides / chemistry
Glycerides / metabolism*
Humans
Lipid Metabolism*
Models, Chemical
Molecular Structure
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism
Signal Transduction*

Substances

Arachidonic Acids
Endocannabinoids
Glycerides
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
glyceryl 2-arachidonate