<\/p>\n
Cannabis has been enjoyed for its many perceived therapeutic benefits throughout the course of human history. <\/span><\/p>\n There are many studies underway attempting to find a correlation between consumption of marijuana and analgesic effects, including alleviation of pain, insomnia, and perhaps even anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n These benefits may be brought about by cannabinoid receptors (we\u2019ll discuss just what a receptor is shortly) in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, facilitating the psychotropic and behavioral effects of cannabis. <\/span><\/p>\n The receptors, CB1 and CB2, are both G protein-coupled receptors (we\u2019ll discuss this later too) that engage with cannabinoid compounds. However, there exists evidence that suggests that these are not the only receptors that contribute to the behavioral, immunological, and vascular actions of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. \u201cGPR55 has recently attracted much attention as another member of the cannabinoid family, potentially explaining physiological effects that are non-CB1\/CB2 mediated,\u201d according to <\/span>Mary E. Abood from Temple University in Philadelphia<\/span><\/a>. But more on that later\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In pharmacology and biochemistry, a receptor is defined as a protein-molecule that receives certain chemical signals from out with a cell. When these signals bind to a receptor, they provoke some sort of cellular or tissue-level response, such as a change in the electrical activity of a cell.<\/span><\/p>\n Each and every single receptor is linked to a specific cell\u2019s biochemical pathway, and each receptor will <\/span>only<\/b> bind with ligands (a molecule that binds to another, usually larger, molecule) of a particular structure. In other words, just like a lock will only accept its corresponding key, when a ligand binds to its corresponding receptor, it will either switch on or shut down the receptor\u2019s biochemical pathway.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n G protein\u2013coupled receptors (GPCRs) – also known as a seven-transmembrane domain receptor, 7TM receptor, heptahelical receptor, serpentine receptor, and G protein\u2013linked receptor (GPLR), but you probably didn\u2019t need to know that – make up a large part of the protein family of receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate certain cellular responses. <\/span><\/p>\n Coupling with G proteins, they are called seven-transmembrane receptors because they pass through the cell membrane seven times.<\/span><\/p>\n These G protein\u2013coupled receptors are only to be found in eukaryotes (any organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes), including yeast, choanoflagellates (a group of free-living unicellular organisms), and mammals. <\/span><\/p>\n The ligands that bind and provoke a response in these receptors include light-sensitive compounds, odors, pheromones, hormones, and neurotransmitters. They vary in size from small molecules and peptides to larger proteins. <\/span><\/p>\n The G protein\u2013coupled receptors are involved in many diseases, and are also the target of around 40% of all modern medicinal drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n GPR55<\/b> is a G protein-coupled receptor that, along with <\/span>GPR119<\/b> and <\/span>GPR18<\/b>, has been identified as a likely receptor for cannabinoids.<\/span><\/p>\n It is often referred to as an orphan receptor because it hasn\u2019t yet been scientifically placed into a family of receptors.<\/span><\/p>\n It was identified and cloned for the first time in 1999 and was later identified as a hypothetical cannabinoid receptor due to a similar amino acid sequence in the binding region.<\/span><\/p>\n GlaxoSmithKline<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>AstraZeneca<\/span><\/a> both researched the GPR55 receptor extensively in the hope that it was responsible for the blood pressure-lowering properties of cannabinoids. While GPR55 is in fact activated by plant and synthetic cannabinoids, it is still inconclusive if it results in an altered state of blood pressure regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Okay, so we\u2019ve finally arrived at the reason <\/span>why<\/span><\/em> we\u2019re discussing GPR55 in the first place. <\/span><\/p>\n The GPR55s are predominantly located throughout the brain, with a particular concentration in and around the cerebellum, where it is utilized in regulating bone density and blood pressure. <\/span><\/p>\n So, for example, if you had an overactive GPR55 receptor it could be linked to osteoporosis. This is because its signaling would increase, and the receptor would promote osteoclast cell behavior, which is responsible for bone resorption (a process in which the calcium in your bones is broken down and transferred from the bone to the blood, therefore weakening the bone).<\/span><\/p>\n When activated, GPR55 also aids in the rapid growth of cancer cells and has been linked to many types of cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The impact of cannabidiol on these receptors could have potentially massive implications on the way in which a number of conditions are treated.<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, CBD has been observed as activating certain receptors, such as the A2A adenosine and the 5-1HT1A serotonin receptors. Scientists are working hard to figure out if this process brings about anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects. <\/span><\/p>\nSo, what is a receptor?<\/b><\/h2>\n
And what is a G protein-coupled receptor?<\/b><\/h2>\n
While we\u2019re on the subject of G protein-coupled receptors, what is GPR55?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why is the discovery of GPR55 important?<\/b><\/h2>\n
And what impact does CBD have on these receptors?<\/b><\/h2>\n