Multiple pathways involved in the biosynthesis of anandamide

Neuropharmacology. 2008 Jan;54(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.05.020. Epub 2007 Jun 6.

Abstract

Endocannabinoids, including anandamide (arachidonoyl ethanolamide) have been implicated in the regulation of a growing number of physiological and pathological processes. Anandamide can be generated from its membrane phospholipid precursor N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) through hydrolysis by a phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). Recent evidence indicates, however, the existence of two additional, parallel pathways. One involves the sequential deacylation of NAPE by alpha,beta-hydrolase 4 (Abhd4) and the subsequent cleavage of glycerophosphate to yield anandamide, and the other one proceeds through phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of NAPE to yield phosphoanandamide, which is then dephosphorylated by phosphatases, including the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 and the inositol 5' phosphatase SHIP1. Conversion of synthetic NAPE to AEA by brain homogenates from wild-type and NAPE-PLD(-/-) mice can proceed through both the PLC/phosphatase and Abdh4 pathways, with the former being dominant at shorter (<10 min) and the latter at longer (60 min) incubations. In macrophages, the endotoxin-induced synthesis of anandamide proceeds uniquely through the phospholipase C/phosphatase pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Drug Interactions
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Glycerophosphates / metabolism
  • Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Hydrolysis / drug effects
  • Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatases
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / drug effects
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neomycin / pharmacology
  • Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-Trisphosphate 5-Phosphatases
  • Phospholipase D / deficiency
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / deficiency
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22 / deficiency
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Transfection / methods
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Glycerophosphates
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Hydrolases
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22
  • Ptpn22 protein, mouse
  • Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatases
  • Inpp5d protein, mouse
  • Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-Trisphosphate 5-Phosphatases
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, mouse
  • Phospholipase D
  • Neomycin
  • anandamide