Dale G. Deutsch, Ph.D. Professor Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 320 Life Sciences Building Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 11794-5215 Office telephone: 631-632-8595 Fax: 631-632-8575 E-mail: DDeutsch@notes.sunysb.edu
Research Description

Metabolism of the Endocannabinoids, Anandamide and 2-AG

Anandamide and 2-AG are endogenous compound that binds to the cannabinoid receptor as does THC, the active component of marijuana. Anandamide and 2-AG are very important neurotransmitter since they affects mood, memory, pain, appetite, response to stress, and many other physiological processes. My laboratory described the enzyme in the brain that hydrolyzes anandamide in 1993. It is now called FAAH, an abbreviation for the fatty acid amide hydrolase. Over the years we have undertaken basic research to understand how FAAH works to regulate anandamide levels. With the long-term goal of developing drugs to regulate the endocannabinoids, we are studying the mechanism by which anandamide is inactivated. This involves a two-step process with anandamide first being taken-up by the cells and subsequently being hydrolyzed by FAAH. We are also studying the localization of FAAH at the cellular level and are also interested in the synthesis of anandamide and are now characterizing a conditional NAPE-PLD KO animal. Most recently we have become interested the mechanism by which 2-AG is transported into the cell (simple diffusion, via an endocannabinoid transporter, or endocytosis).

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