Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Cellular Lipid Extraction for Targeted Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: November 17, 2011
2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol as an "endocannabinoid": limelight for a formerly neglected metabolite
1Istituto per la Chimica di Interesse Biologico, C.N.R., Napoli, Italy. vdm@trinc.icmib.na.cnr.it
Abstract:
Previously believed to simply be an intermediate in tri- and diglyceride metabolism or an alternative precursor for arachidonic acid, 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol has lately attracted renewed interest from lipid biochemists and pharmacologists. This is due to the finding of its cannabimimetic activity. In the present article recent landmarks that have led to the proposition of a role of this monoglyceride as an "endocannabinoid", starting from its newly discovered pharmacological properties in both central and peripheral tissues and ending with studies on the possible biosynthetic pathways for its formation, are reviewed. Also considered are possible interactions with another arachidonic acid-derived endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide.
Related Concept Videos
Lipid Digestion
Lipids as Anchors
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains the...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

