Cannabinoid-hypocretin cross-talk in the central nervous system: what we know so far

Emerging findings suggest the existence of a cross-talk between hypocretinergic and endocannabinoid systems. Although few studies have examined this relationship, the apparent overlap observed in the neuroanatomical distribution of both systems as well as their putative functions strongly point to t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in neuroscience 2013-12, Vol.7, p.256-256
Main Authors: Flores, Africa, Maldonado, Rafael, Berrendero, Fernando
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesia
Anatomy
antinociception
Anxiety
Cannabinoid CB1 receptors
Cannabinoides
Central nervous system
endocannabinoid system
energy balance
Glycerol
heteromerization
hypocretinergic system
Kinases
Ligands
Localization
Narcotics
Nervous system
Neurons
Neurosciences
Neurotransmitters
Orexins
Pain perception
Peptides
Pharmacology
Physiology
Reinforcement
Reward
Sistema nerviós central
Sleep and wakefulness
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Summary:Emerging findings suggest the existence of a cross-talk between hypocretinergic and endocannabinoid systems. Although few studies have examined this relationship, the apparent overlap observed in the neuroanatomical distribution of both systems as well as their putative functions strongly point to the existence of such cross-modulation. In agreement, biochemical and functional studies have revealed the existence of heterodimers between CB1 cannabinoid receptor and hypocretin receptor-1, which modulates the cellular localization and downstream signaling of both receptors. Moreover, the activation of hypocretin receptor-1 stimulates the synthesis of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol culminating in the retrograde inhibition of neighboring cells and suggesting that endocannabinoids could contribute to some hypocretin effects. Pharmacological data indicate that endocannabinoids and hypocretins might have common physiological functions in the regulation of appetite, reward and analgesia. In contrast, these neuromodulatory systems seem to play antagonistic roles in the regulation of sleep/wake cycle and anxiety-like responses. The present review attempts to piece together what is known about this interesting interaction and describes its potential therapeutic implications.
ISSN:1662-4548
1662-453X
1662-453X
DOI:10.3389/fnins.2013.00256