Role of proteins associated with the Cannabinoid receptor 1 in endocannabinoid signaling

To preserve homeostasis and proper function in every living organism, it is important for cells to communicate with each other and their environment. Cells are constantly processing a huge amount of extracellular stimuli through proteins called receptors. Receptors can transduce the signal from extracellular to intracellular compartments. G- protein coupled receptors are the biggest group, in which also belongs Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R). Endocannabinoid system regulates many biological processes such as learning, food intake, and movement. Obesity is a serious issue nowadays and in cases of claryfing its molecular-genetic basis, there was found Src homology 3-domain growth factor receptor-bound 2-like (endophilin) interacting protein 1 (SGIP1). SGIP1 has a role in the regulation of energetic balance and its overexpression is leading to a development of obesity. SGIP1 was detected as an interaction partner of CB1R and it had been found that it is involved in internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). Key proteins for initiation and early phase of CME are FCHO1/2, with which SGIP1 shares high sequential homology. However, effect of SGIP1 on internalization of activated CB1R is inhibitory unlike FCHO1/2,wheras detailed mechanism of its function remains unclear. The aim of this..