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Retrograde signaling at central synapses via endogenous cannabinoids

Molecular Psychiatry volume 7, pages 234–235 (2002)Cite this article

Recent studies have clarified that endogenous cannabinoids are released from depolarized postsynaptic neurons in a calcium-dependent manner and act retrogradely onto presynaptic cannabinoid receptors to suppress neurotransmitter release.

Marijuana exerts variable behavioral effects through the interaction of its active component Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol with specific cannabinoid receptors. They constitute a family of G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane-domain receptors and consist of type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) receptors.1,2,3,4 While the CB2 is expressed mostly in the immune system, the CB1 is rich in various regions of the brain.5,6 Anandamide and sn-2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG)1,2,3,4 have so far been identified as putative endogenous ligands for the CB1. These endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) are reported to be produced and released from central neurons in a manner dependent on neural activity and intracellular Ca2+.1,2,3,4 Activation of the CB1 causes suppression of synaptic transmission in various regions of the CNS.1,2

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (to TO-S and MK) and Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology (to MK) from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, Culture and Technology of Japan.

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  1. Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan

    M Kano, T Ohno-Shosaku & T Maejima

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  1. M Kano
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  2. T Ohno-Shosaku
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  3. T Maejima
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Correspondence to M Kano.

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Kano, M., Ohno-Shosaku, T. & Maejima, T. Retrograde signaling at central synapses via endogenous cannabinoids. Mol Psychiatry 7, 234–235 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000999

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