Identification of a potent and highly efficacious, yet slowly desensitizing CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • 1 The relationship of agonist efficacy to the rate of G protein-coupled receptor signaling desensitization is controversial. 2 Expressing inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) in Xenopus oocytes, we have devised a signaling assay that clearly identifies CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists with low intrinsic efficacy. 3 In this assay, the synthetic CB1 agonists, AM411, AM782, AM1902, AM2233 and WIN55,212-2 and the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyl ester, were full agonists. 4 The synthetic CB1 agonist AM356 (methanandamide), the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl ether, and the phytocannabinoid, Delta9THC, were partial agonists. 5 The rate of desensitization of CB1 was independent of agonist efficacy. WIN55,212-2, AM782, AM1902, AM2233, and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol ester all desensitized quickly, with desensitization rates varying from 14% min(-1) to 10% min(-1). AM356, AM411, anandamide, and Delta9THC all desensitized considerably slower, at a rate of 5% min(-1). 6 Despite high potency and efficacy, AM411 desensitized as slowly as anandamide and Delta9THC. 7 CB1 agonist efficacy and rate of desensitization are not necessarily related.

published proceedings

  • Br J Pharmacol

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Luk, T., Jin, W., Zvonok, A., Lu, D., Lin, X., Chavkin, C., Makriyannis, A., & Mackie, K.

citation count

  • 81

complete list of authors

  • Luk, Terry||Jin, Wenzhen||Zvonok, Alexander||Lu, Dai||Lin, Xin-Zhong||Chavkin, Charles||Makriyannis, Alexandros||Mackie, Ken

publication date

  • June 2004

publisher