The endocannabinoid system is recognized as one of the most significant mechanisms of intercellular communication in animals. This ubiquitous signaling complex regulates a vast array of physiological processes, from the response to stress in the brain to the control of energy balance in the adipose organ.
At the core of its function are a handful of lipid-derived mediators, the endocannabinoids, which produce their effects by engaging G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors expressed by neurons and many other cell types. There is overwhelming evidence, however, that the endocannabinoid system does not operate in isolation. Families of endocannabinoid-like lipid mediators have been identified, which either synergize with or antagonize the endocannabinoids throughout the body to maintain homeostasis. These agents share with the endocannabinoids some biochemical pathways of formation and deactivation, but do not bind to cannabinoid receptors. Fatty acyl amides such as oleoylethanolamide and palmitoylethanolamide; two powerful agonists of the nuclear receptor PPAR-alpha; and fatty acyl esters like 2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol, which activates G protein-coupled GPR-119; are part of this understudied signaling complex, to which this Research Topic is dedicated.
We welcome original research, review, and mini review articles about endocannabinoid-like lipids and their functions.
The endocannabinoid system is recognized as one of the most significant mechanisms of intercellular communication in animals. This ubiquitous signaling complex regulates a vast array of physiological processes, from the response to stress in the brain to the control of energy balance in the adipose organ.
At the core of its function are a handful of lipid-derived mediators, the endocannabinoids, which produce their effects by engaging G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors expressed by neurons and many other cell types. There is overwhelming evidence, however, that the endocannabinoid system does not operate in isolation. Families of endocannabinoid-like lipid mediators have been identified, which either synergize with or antagonize the endocannabinoids throughout the body to maintain homeostasis. These agents share with the endocannabinoids some biochemical pathways of formation and deactivation, but do not bind to cannabinoid receptors. Fatty acyl amides such as oleoylethanolamide and palmitoylethanolamide; two powerful agonists of the nuclear receptor PPAR-alpha; and fatty acyl esters like 2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol, which activates G protein-coupled GPR-119; are part of this understudied signaling complex, to which this Research Topic is dedicated.
We welcome original research, review, and mini review articles about endocannabinoid-like lipids and their functions.