Characterization of NTera2/D1 cells as a model system for the investigation of cannabinoid function in human neurons and astrocytes.

The limited availability and potential to culture primary human brain cells means that there is still a need for cell lines that reliably model human neurons and glial cells. The human-derived NTera2/D1 (NT2) cell line is a promising tool from which both neuronal (NT2N) and astrocytic (NT2A) cells can be derived in vitro. Here we have investigated the potential to use this cell model to investigate the endocannabinoid system in the CNS.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 undergoes Rab5-mediated internalization and recycles via a Rab11-dependent pathway.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is a GPCR highly expressed on the surface of cells of the immune system, supporting its role in immunomodulation. This study has investigated the trafficking properties of this receptor when stably expressed by HEK-293 cells. As previously reported, cell surface CB2 rapidly internalized upon exposure to agonist.

A new cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist HU-910 attenuates oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death associated with hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Background And Purpose: Cannabinoid CB(2) receptor activation has been reported to attenuate myocardial, cerebral and hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Experimental Approach: We have investigated the effects of a novel CB(2) receptor agonist ((1S,4R)-2-(2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenyl)-7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.

Anandamide receptor signal transduction.

In the 15 years since its discovery anandamide has been implicated in many physiological processes. The signaling pathways mediating many of these processes are now coming to light, particularly in the CNS. The complexity of the cannabinoid system and the identification of many potential other receptors for anandamide have made conclusive evidence of molecular pathways stimulated by this molecule significantly more difficult to achieve.

Specific detection of CB1 receptors; cannabinoid CB1 receptor antibodies are not all created equal!

The study of endogenous cannabinoid CB1 receptor proteins in neuronal tissues and cells relies on the availability of highly specific antibodies. We have tested the ability of a series of CB1 antibodies to detect endogenous receptors in brain as well as hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged receptors transfected into HEK-293 cells using a combination of immunological methods. An initial comparison of several CB1 antibodies in mouse brain revealed substantial differences in staining pattern to ligand binding by autoradiography.

The crystal structure of TrpD, a metabolic enzyme essential for lung colonization by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in complex with its substrate phosphoribosylpyrophosphate.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of tuberculosis, presents a major threat to human health worldwide. Biosynthetic enzymes that are essential for the survival of the bacterium, especially in activated macrophages, are important potential drug targets. Although the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway is thought to be non-essential for many pathogens, this appears not to be the case for M.