CANNABINOID RECEPTOR GENES

Cannabinoids are the constituents of the marijuana plant (cannabis sat iva) of which the major active ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabi nol (Delta(9)-THC). Rapid progress has been achieved in marijuana rese arch in the last five years than in the thousands of years that mariju ana has been used in human history. For many decades therefore, resear ch on the molecular and neurobiological bases of the physiological and neurobehavioral effects of marijuana was hampered by the lack of spec ific research tools and technology. The situation has started to chang e with the availability of molecular probes and other recombinant mole cules that have led to major advances. Recent advances include the clo ning of the cDNA sequences encoding the rat, human and the mouse perip heral and CNS cannabinoid receptors. In addition a putative ligand, an andamide, thought to represent the endogenous cannabis-like substance that binds the cannabinoid receptors, has been isolated from the brain . This achievement has openned a whole new neurochemical system partic ularly as the physiological and pharmacological properties of anandami de indicate a possible neuromodulatory or neurotransmitter role. The r ecent demonstration of a potent and selective antagonist for CB1 recep tors may become an important and powerful investigative tool. Future p rogress on the neurobiology of cannabinoid research may include data o n the use pf antisense strategies and gene targeting approach to furth er understand the mechanism(s) of action of cannabinoids which has bee n slow to emerge. We conclude that these are exciting times for cannab is research which has given us anandamide - a substance of inner bliss . Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd