Ligands and Receptors

Khanolkar AD, Palmer SL, and Makriyannis A (, pp 37 52) described molecular probes for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, both of which are G protein coupled membrane bound functional proteins. CB1 is found in the central nervous system and in a variety of other organs including heart, vascular endothelium, uterus, vas deferens, testis and small intestine.

Conversely, the CB2 receptor appears to be associated exclusively with the immune system and is found in the periphery of the spleen and other cells associated with immunochemical functions. Representative ligands from the six classes of cannabimimetic agents (Khanolkar et al, 2000).