Membrane microdomains and metabolic pathways that define anandamide and 2-arachidonyl glycerol biosynthesis and breakdown

Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachiclonyl glycerol (2-AG), endogenous ligands for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, are referred to as endocannabinoids because they mimic the actions of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), a plant-derived cannabinoid. The processes by which AEA and 2-AG are biosynthesized, released, taken up by cells and hydrolyzed have been of much interest as potential therapeutic targets. In this review we will discuss the progress that has been made to characterize the primary pathways for AEA and 2-AG formation and breakdown as well as the role that specialized membrane microdomains known as lipid rafts play in these processes. Furthermore we will review the recent advances made to track and detect AEA in biological matrices. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.