Abstract
The endocannabinoid system comprises the cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), their endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) and the whole apparatus appointed of their synthesis and degradation. Recent studies investigated the possibility that drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system might be used to retard or block cancer growth. CB1, CB2 and metabolic enzymes of endocannabinoids, function in the context of lipid rafts, specialized membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol, sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids which may be important in modulating signal transduction. Here, we analysed the role of lipid rafts/caveolae in the intracellular signaling and trafficking of cannabinoid receptor agonist in cancer cells. Perturbation of lipid rafts/caveolae may in fact represent a useful tool for the development of a novel therapy for endocannabinoids-related diseases, such as cancer. Also, we report the more recent developments of endocannabinoids in cancer drug discovery.
Keywords: Endocannabinoids, cancer, lipid rafts, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, depolarization, capsaicin, 2-arachidonoyl-glycerylether
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Role of Lipid Rafts/Caveolae in the Anticancer Effect of Endocannabinoids
Volume: 12 Issue: 11
Author(s): Claudia Grimaldi and Anna Capasso
Affiliation:
Keywords: Endocannabinoids, cancer, lipid rafts, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, depolarization, capsaicin, 2-arachidonoyl-glycerylether
Abstract: The endocannabinoid system comprises the cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), their endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) and the whole apparatus appointed of their synthesis and degradation. Recent studies investigated the possibility that drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system might be used to retard or block cancer growth. CB1, CB2 and metabolic enzymes of endocannabinoids, function in the context of lipid rafts, specialized membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol, sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids which may be important in modulating signal transduction. Here, we analysed the role of lipid rafts/caveolae in the intracellular signaling and trafficking of cannabinoid receptor agonist in cancer cells. Perturbation of lipid rafts/caveolae may in fact represent a useful tool for the development of a novel therapy for endocannabinoids-related diseases, such as cancer. Also, we report the more recent developments of endocannabinoids in cancer drug discovery.
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Cite this article as:
Grimaldi Claudia and Capasso Anna, Role of Lipid Rafts/Caveolae in the Anticancer Effect of Endocannabinoids, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2012; 12 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955712802762158
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955712802762158 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
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