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Cannabinoid Interactions with Proteins: Insights from Structural Studies

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Recent Advances in Cannabinoid Physiology and Pathology

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1162))

Abstract

Cannabinoids have been widely used for recreational and medicinal purposes. The increasing legalization of cannabinoid use and the growing success in Medicinal Chemistry of cannabinoids have fueled recent interest in cannabinoid-sensing sites in receptor proteins. Here, we review structural data from high-resolution cryo-EM and crystallography studies that depict phytocannabinoid, endocannabinoid, and synthetic cannabinoid molecules bound to various proteins. The latter include antigen-binding fragment (Fab), cellular retinol binding protein 2 (CRBP2), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), and cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). Cannabinoid-protein complexes reveal the complex design of cannabinoid binding sites that are usually presented by conventional ligand-binding pockets on respective proteins. However, subtle differences in cannabinoid interaction with amino acids within the binding pocket often result in diverse consequences for protein function. The rapid increase in available structural data on cannabinoid-protein interactions will ultimately direct drug design efforts toward rendering highly potent cannabinoid-related pharmacotherapies that are devoid of side effects.

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Abbreviations

2-AG:

2-arachidonoylglycerol

AEA:

anandamide

CB1:

cannabinoid receptor type 1

CB2:

cannabinoid receptor type 2

CRBP2:

cellular retinol binding protein 2

cryo-EM:

cryogenic electron microscopy

ECL:

extracellular loop

FABP:

fatty acid-binding protein

GPCR:

G protein-coupled receptor

ICL:

intracellular loop

NMR:

nuclear magnetic resonance

PDB:

protein data bank

PPAR:

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

THC:

delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol

TM:

transmembrane

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH R21 AA022433 (ANB). The authors extend their gratitude Dr. Avia Rosenhouse-Dantsker (University of Illinois at Chicago) for critical reading of the manuscript and Office of Research (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center) for editorial assistance.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Anna N. Bukiya & Alex M. Dopico

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  1. Anna N. Bukiya
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Correspondence to Anna N. Bukiya .

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Anna N. Bukiya

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Bukiya, A.N., Dopico, A.M. (2019). Cannabinoid Interactions with Proteins: Insights from Structural Studies. In: Bukiya, A. (eds) Recent Advances in Cannabinoid Physiology and Pathology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1162. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21737-2_3

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