N-Arachidonoyl L-Serine, a Putative Endocannabinoid, Alters the Activation of N-Type Ca Channels in Sympathetic Neurons

Guo J, Williams DJ, Ikeda SR. N-arachidonoyl L-serine, a putative endocannabinoid, alters the activation of N-type Ca channels in sympathetic neurons. J Neurophysiol 100: 1147–1151, 2008. First published January 30, 2008; doi:10.1152/jn.01204.2007. The effect of N-arachidonoyl L-serine (ARA-S), a recently discovered lipoamino acid found in the CNS, on N-type Ca channels of rat sympathetic ganglion neurons was determined using whole cell patch clamp. Application of ARA-S produced a rapid and reversible augmentation of Ca current that was voltage dependent and resulted from a hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve. ARA-S did not influence G protein modulation of Ca channels and appeared to act independently of G-protein-coupled receptors. These findings provide a foundation for investigating possible roles for ARA-S in nervous system function.