Selective up-regulation of cannabinoid CB 1 receptor coupling to Go-proteins in suicide victims with mood disorders

Brain endocannabinoid system is proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of affective disorders. In the present study, we analyzed the functionality of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB receptor) at different transduction levels in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of depressed suicide victims. We examined stimulation of [ S]GTPγS binding, activation of Gα protein subunits and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by the cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2, as well as [ H]CP55,940 binding, in PFC homogenates from suicide victims with major depression (MD) and matched control subjects. CB receptor-stimulated [ S]GTPγS binding was significantly greater in the PFC of MD compared with matched controls (23%, p