Biosynthesis & Endocannabinoids (eCBs) / The Endocannabinoid System (eCB)

Unlike classical neurotransmitters, or many other intracellular signaling molecules, which are stored in vesicles before being released, AEA and 2-AG are synthesized “on-demand” from arachidonic acid (AA) in a cell and time-specific manner through enzymatic activation by multiple pathways in the membrane of different cell types such as neurons, adipocytes, and skeletal muscle cells, in response to increased intracellular Ca 2+ concentration, membrane depolarization, and/or receptor stimulation
Cadas et al. 1996 J. Neurosci. 16: 3934-3942
Kano et al. 2009 Physiol. Rev. 89: 309-380

see also:
Anandamide (AEA)

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