Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor

W A Devane, L Hanus, A Breuer, Roger Guy Pertwee, Lesley Ann Stevenson, G Griffin, D Gibson, A Mandelbaum, A Etinger, R Mechoulam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4682 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Arachidonylethanolamide, an arachidonic acid derivative in porcine brain, was identified in a screen for endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptor. The structure of this compound, which has been named "anandamide," was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and was confirmed by synthesis. Anandamide inhibited the specific binding of a radiolabeled cannabinoid probe to synaptosomal membranes in a manner typical of competitive ligands and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the electrically evoked twitch response of the mouse vas deferens, a characteristic effect of psychotropic cannabinoids. These properties suggest that anandamide may function as a natural ligand for the cannabinoid receptor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1946-1949
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume258
Issue number5090
Publication statusPublished - 18 Dec 1992

Keywords

  • RAT-BRAIN
  • LOCALIZATION
  • rat-brain
  • localization

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