Characterization of biotin-anandamide, a novel tool for the visualization of anandamide accumulation

J Lipid Res. 2008 Jun;49(6):1216-23. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M700486-JLR200. Epub 2008 Mar 3.

Abstract

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide; AEA) acts as an endogenous agonist of both cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. During the last two decades, its metabolic pathways and biological activity have been investigated extensively and relatively well characterized. In contrast, at present, the effective nature and mechanism of AEA transport remain controversial and still unsolved issues. Here, we report the characterization of a biotinylated analog of AEA (b-AEA) that has the same lipophilicity of the parent compound. In addition, by means of biochemical assays and fluorescence microscopy, we show that b-AEA is accumulated inside the cells in a way superimposable on that of AEA. Conversely, b-AEA does not interact or interfere with the other components of the endocannabinoid system, such as type-1 and type-2 cannabinoid receptors, vanilloid receptor, AEA synthetase (N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D), or AEA hydrolase (fatty acid amide hydrolase). Together, our data suggest that b-AEA could be a very useful probe for visualizing the accumulation and intracellular distribution of this endocannabinoid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / metabolism*
  • Biotin / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Biotin
  • anandamide