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Abstract

Neuron-enriched cultures and synaptoneurosomal fractions from 10 day-old rat brain contain diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipase activities. Glutamate and its analogs stimulate the activities of diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipases in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Stimulation of diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipases by glutamate or NMDA can be blocked by MK-801 (non-competitive antagonist). Nitro L-arginine methyl ester and L-methylarginine have no effect on glutamate stimulated activities of diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipases. Our studies suggest that synaptoneurosomal preparations from young rat brain are useful for obtaining important information on signal transduction.

The Endocannabinoid Signaling System in the CNS

“…In situ hybridization has been used to assess the distribution of MAGL mRNA expression in the brain, showing good agreement of brain regions expressing the CB1R and MAGL (Dinh et al, 2002). MAGL is found in presynaptic terminals (Gulyas et al, 2004; Horvath et al, 2014; Suarez et al, 2008) and enzymatic activity is enriched in synaptosomal preparations (Farooqui & Horrocks, 1997; Vyvoda & Rowe, 1973). A recent study provides evidence that MAGL is expressed in astrocytes as well as neurons; and astrocytic MAGL contributes to overall regulation of brain 2-AG content (Viader et al, 2015).…”