中文

Chinese Journal of Nature >

2021 , Vol. 43 >Issue 1: 25 - 31

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2021.01.004

Review Article

Structural studies of human cannabinoid receptors 

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  • ① iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; ② School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China

Received date: 2020-10-01

  Online published: 2021-02-25

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Abstract

 Marijuana from Cannabis sativa L. has been used for both therapeutic and recreational purpose for many centuries. Δ9 - tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC), the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana, was discovered and isolated in 1964. In the early 1990s, the endocannabinoid system was identified in mammalian species. The cannabinoids from marijuana and endocannabinoids exert their effects mainly through the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which belong to the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). CB1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system, while CB2 is widely distributed in the immune system. CB1 and CB2 can regulate a variety of central and peripheral physiological processes and are very important drug targets for treating diverse diseases. Here, we briefly summarized the history of cannabinoids and the progress in the structural and functional studies of CB1 and CB2, and discussed their therapeutic potentials in learning, mood, obesity, pain and inflammation.

Cite this article

SHEN Ling, HUA Tian, LIU Zhijie . Structural studies of human cannabinoid receptors [J]. Chinese Journal of Nature, 2021 , 43(1) : 25 -31 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2021.01.004

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