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CB(1) cannabinoid receptor-G protein association: a possible mechanism for differential signaling
Somnath Mukhopadhyay1, Joong-Youn Shim, Abdel-Azim Assi
1Neuroscience and Drug Abuse Research Program, J L Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA.
Abstract:
Effects of cannabinoid compounds on neurons are predominantly mediated by the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor. Onset of signaling cascades in response to cannabimimetic drugs is triggered by the interaction of the cannabinoid receptor with G(i/o) proteins. Much work has been done to delineate the cannabinoid agonist-induced downstream signaling events; however, it remains to define the molecular basis of cannabinoid receptor-G protein interactions that stimulate these signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss several signal transduction pathways, focusing on studies that demonstrate the efficacy of CB(1) receptor agonists through G protein mediated pathways.