Elucidating cannabinoid biology in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Randall G Krug, Karl J Clark
Gene July 17, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.07.036 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and rodent models, as covered in the reviewed literature |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Animals Zebrafish Cannabinoids Endocannabinoid Synthetic cannabinoid Phytocannabinoid |
| Key findings | Argues that the zebrafish model, with its cannabinoid receptor genes cnr1 and cnr2 and associated synthesis and degradation enzymes, offers a genetically tractable system for investigating both the toxicological consequences and therapeutic potential of altered endocannabinoid signaling. The authors propose that integrating zebrafish findings with rodent studies can guide future cannabinoid research, which they describe as increasingly significant given recent trends in cannabis legislation. |
Abstract
The number of annual cannabinoid users exceeds 100,000,000 globally and an estimated 9% of these individuals will suffer from dependency. Although exogenous cannabinoids, like those contained in marijuana, are known to exert their effects by disrupting the endocannabinoid system, a dearth of knowledge exists about the potential toxicological consequences on public health. Conversely, the endocannabinoid system represents a promising therapeutic target for a plethora of disorders because it functions to endogenously regulate a vast repertoire of physiological functions. Accordingly, the rapidly expanding field of cannabinoid biology has sought to leverage model organisms in order to provide both toxicological and therapeutic insights about altered endocannabinoid signaling. The primary goal of this manuscript is to review the existing field of cannabinoid research in the genetically tractable zebrafish model-focusing on the cannabinoid receptor genes, cnr1 and cnr2, and the genes that produce enzymes for synthesis and degradation of the cognate ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol. Consideration is also given to research that has studied the effects of exposure to exogenous phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids that are known to interact with cannabinoid receptors. These results are considered in the context of either endocannabinoid gene expression or endocannabinoid gene function, and are integrated with findings from rodent studies. This provides the framework for a discussion of how zebrafish may be leveraged in the future to provide novel toxicological and therapeutic insights in the field of cannabinoid biology, which has become increasingly significant given recent trends in cannabis legislation.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Involvement of kappa-opioid and endocannabinoid system on Salvinorin A-induced reward. Biological Psychiatry February 1, 2008
- Kappa opioid mediation of cannabinoid effects of the potent hallucinogen, salvinorin A, in rodents. Psychopharmacology June 1, 2010
- Adolescent cannabis use and psychosis: epidemiology and neurodevelopmental models British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2010
- Withdrawal phenomena and dependence syndrome after the consumption of "spice gold". Deutsches Arzteblatt international July 3, 2009
- Hallucinatory and rewarding effect of salvinorin A in zebrafish: kappa-opioid and CB1-cannabinoid receptor involvement. Psychopharmacology March 2007
and 3 more in the library