2-Arachidonoylglycerol

2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an endocannabinoid, an endogenous agonist of the CB1 receptor.^[1][2] It is an ester formed from the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid and glycerol. Unlike anandamide, 2-AG is present at relatively high levels in the central nervous system; it is the most abundant molecular species of monoacylglycerol found in rat brain.^[2][3] Formation of 2-AG is calcium-dependent and is mediated by the activities of phospholipase C (PLC) and diacylglycerol lipase (DAG).^[2] 2-AG acts as a full agonist at the CB1 receptor.^[4] At a concentration of 0.3 nM, 2-AG induces a rapid, transient increase in intracellular free calcium in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells through a CB1 receptor-dependent mechanism.^[2] 2-AG is metabolized in vitro by monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase, with MGL likely being the principle metabolizing enzyme in vivo.^[4]

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It has been found in maternal bovine and human milk.^[5]

References

1. ^ Stella, N., Schweitzer, P., Piomelli, D. A second endogenous cannabinoid that modulates long-term potentiation. Nature 388 773-778 (1997).
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Sugiura, T., Kodaka, T., Nakane, S., et al. Evidence that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor is a 2-arachidonoylglycerol receptor. Structure-activity relationship of 2-arachidonoylglycerol, ether-linked analogues, and related compounds. J Biol Chem 274 2794-2801 (1999).
3. ^ Kondo, S., Kondo, H., Nakane, S., et al. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist: Identification as one of the major species of monoacylglycerols in various rat tissues, and evidence for its generation through Ca2+-dependent and -independent mechanisms. FEBS Lett 429 152-156 (1998).
4. ^ ^{a b} Savinainen, J. R., Jarvinen, T., Laine, K. and Laitinen, J. T. Despite substantial degradation, 2-arachidonoylglycerol is a potent full efficacy agonist mediating CB(1) receptor-dependent G-protein activation in rat cerebellar membranes. Br. J. Pharmacol. 134, 664–672(2001).
5. ^ Fride E, Bregman T, Kirkham TC. (April 2005). "PEndocannabinoids and food intake: newborn suckling and appetite regulation in adulthood.". Experimental Biology and Medicine 230 (4): 225-234. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020286. PMID 15792943.

• Dinh, T.P., Carpenter, D., Leslie, F.M., et al. Brain monoglyceride lipase participating in endocannabinoid inactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99(16) 10819-10824 (2002).