Dynamic Mechanism for Subtype Selectivity of Endocannabinoids.

ABSTRACT: Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring lipid-like molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB₁ and CB₂) and regulate many of human bodily functions via the endocannabinoid system. There is a tremendous interest in developing selective drugs that target the CB receptors. However, the biophysical mechanisms responsible for the subtype selectivity for endocannbinoids have not been established. Recent experimental structures of CB receptors show that endocannbinoids potentially bind via membrane using the lipid access channel in the transmembrane region of the receptors. Furthermore, the N-terminus of the receptor could move in and out of the binding pocket thereby modulating both the pocket volume and its residue composition. On the basis of these observations, we

SUBMITTER: Dutta S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11565827 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature