ABSTRACT: Growing evidence for glutamate abnormalities in schizophrenia support the development of novel antipsychotic agents targeting this system. Early studies investigating modulation of the glutamate system using glycine, D-serine and sarcosine in patients with schizophrenia have demonstrated significant effects, particularly on negative symptoms, conventionally thought ... Continue Reading
pharmacology
STUDY: Modulation of l-α-Lysophosphatidylinositol/ GPR55 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling by Cannabinoids*
ABSTRACT: GPR55 is activated by l-α-lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) but also by certain cannabinoids. In this study, we investigated the GPR55 pharmacology of various cannabinoids, including analogues of the CB1 receptor antagonist Rimonabant®, CB2receptor agonists, and Cannabis sativa constituents. To test ERK1/2 phosphorylation, a primary downstream signaling pathway that ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Modulating the endocannabinoid system in human health and disease: successes and failures
ABSTRACT: The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS; comprising of G-protein coupled cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors, their endogenous lipid ligands or endocannabinoids, and synthetic and metabolizing enzymes, triggered an avalanche of experimental studies that have implicated the ECS in a growing number of physiological/pathological functions. They also suggested that ... Continue Reading
STUDY: Cannabinoid Receptors: Nomenclature and Pharmacological Principles
ABSTRACT: The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family that are pharmacologically well defined. However, the discovery of additional sites of action for endocannabinoids as well as synthetic cannabinoid compounds suggests the existence of additional cannabinoid receptors. Here we review this evidence, as well as the ... Continue Reading
STUDY: New insights into pharmacological tools to TR(i)P cancer up
ABSTRACT: The aim of this review is to address the recent advances regarding the use of pharmacological agents to target transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in cancer and their potential application in therapeutics. Physiologically, TRP channels are responsible for cation entry (Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+) in many mammalian cells and regulate a large number of cellular functions. ... Continue Reading