The CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the brain

Neurobiol Dis. 1998 Dec;5(6 Pt B):405-16. doi: 10.1006/nbdi.1998.0215.

Abstract

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor in brain is a G-protein-coupled receptor that exists as a protein possessing seven transmembrane helices that span the membrane. The intracellular surface is able to interact with f1p4oteins of the Gi/o family to regulate effector proteins, including adenylate cyclase, Ca2+ channels, and K+ channels, and to stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The CB1 cannabinoid receptor recognizes three classes of agonist ligands: cannabinoid, eicosanoid, and aminoalkylindole. These agonist subtypes may interact with the CB1 cannabinoid receptor by some common points of association, yet may have subtle differences in the way that they interact with the receptor protein. This may be evident in the allosteric regulation by monovalent cations and individual agonists. The juxtamembrane region of the C-terminal is able to activate G-proteins. It is proposed that conformational changes in the receptor induced by agonist ligands may alter the conformation or exposure of the juxtamembrane C-terminal region extending from helix VII.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Eicosanoids / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Indoles / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / agonists
  • Receptors, Drug / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Eicosanoids
  • Indoles
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • GTP-Binding Proteins