Angiogenesis: a new physiological role for N-arachidonoyl serine and GPR55?

作者：Ho W S V^*

来源：British Journal of Pharmacology, 2010, 160(7): 1580-1582.

DOI：10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00788.x

• acyl amino acids
• angiogenesis
• endocannabinoid
• endothelium
• extracellular signal-regulated kinases
• GPR55
• migration
• proliferation
• vascular endothelial growth factor

N-arachidonoyl serine (ARA-S) is one of a number of acyl amino acids recently identified in mammalian tissues. It has been referred to as an endocannabinoid-like lipid largely based on its structural similarities with the endocannabinoid, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide). However, little is known about its potential physiological functions and receptor targets. In this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, Zhang and colleagues show that ARA-S is a potent inducer of endothelial cell proliferation and migration, and angiogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, this pro-angiogenic action is mediated, at least partly, by activation of the poorly characterized, G-protein-coupled GPR55 receptor. ARA-S, via GPR55, increases phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and Akt, and vascular endothelial growth factor signalling. These exciting findings highlight the endothelium as an endogenous target for ARA-S and GPR55.

• 出版日期2010-8