Endocannabinoid Virodhamine Is an Endogenous Inhibitor of Human Cardiovascular CYP2J2 Epoxygenase

Biochemistry. 2018 Nov 20;57(46):6489-6499. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00691. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Abstract

The human body contains endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) that elicit effects similar to those of Δ9-tetrahydrocanabinol, the principal bioactive component of cannabis. The endocannabinoid virodhamine (O-AEA) is the constitutional isomer of the well-characterized cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). The chemical structures of O-AEA and AEA contain arachidonic acid (AA) and ethanolamine; however, AA in O-AEA is connected to ethanolamine via an ester linkage, whereas AA in AEA is connected through an amide linkage. O-AEA is involved in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular function. We show that O-AEA is found at levels 9.6-fold higher than that of AEA in porcine left ventricle. On a separate note, the cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase CYP2J2 is the most abundant CYP in the heart where it catalyzes the metabolism of AA and AA-derived eCBs to bioactive epoxides that are involved in diverse cardiovascular functions. Herein, using competitive binding studies, kinetic metabolism measurements, molecular dynamics, and wound healing assays, we have shown that O-AEA is an endogenous inhibitor of CYP2J2 epoxygenase. As a result, the role of O-AEA as an endogenous eCB inhibitor of CYP2J2 may provide a new mode of regulation to control the activity of cardiovascular CYP2J2 in vivo and suggests a potential cross-talk between the cardiovascular endocannabinoids and the cytochrome P450 system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / chemistry*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Endocannabinoids / pharmacology
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / pharmacology
  • Protein Conformation
  • Swine
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • CYP2J2 protein, human
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
  • Cannabinoids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • virodhamine
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2J2
  • anandamide