Investigation of relationship between dopamine signaling and endocannabinoid system

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860471
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Legal medicine
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: Ochi Hiroshi 藤田保健衛生大学, 医学部, 助教 (70527704)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 内因性カンナビノイド / 内因性カンナビノイドシステム / ドーパミン / グリア細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the central nervous system, endocannabinoids are released from postsynaptic neuron, and retrogradely act on the receptors on the presynaptic membrane to inhibit neurotransmitter release from presynaptic neuron. In this study, we revealed that mRNA level of PLCβ4 (2-AG synthetic enzyme) was up-regulated and mRNA level of MGLL (2-AG degrading enzyme) was down-regulated by dopamine treatment. Thereby 2-AG signaling of glial cell was enhanced. From these results, under the condition that dopamine concentration rises for a long term at the synapse, it is suggested that glial endocannabinoid system is involved in the regulation of the dopamine signaling.

Free Research Field

法医学