CNR2
Description
The CNR2 (cannabinoid receptor 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is a G protein-coupled receptor from the cannabinoid receptor family that is encoded by the CNR2 gene in humans. It is closely related to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis. The primary endogenous ligand for the CB2 receptor is 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). CB2 was discovered in 1993 by a research group in Cambridge, who were looking for a second cannabinoid receptor that could explain the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol. The receptor was identified based on its similarity to the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) receptor, which was discovered in 1990. This discovery provided a molecular explanation for the effects of cannabinoids on the immune system. The CB2 receptor is encoded by the CNR2 gene. It consists of approximately 360 amino acids, making it shorter than the 473-amino-acid-long CB1 receptor. Like other G protein-coupled receptors, it has seven transmembrane spanning domains, a glycosylated N-terminus, and an intracellular C-terminus. The C-terminus of CB2 receptors appears to play a critical role in regulating ligand-induced receptor desensitization and downregulation following repeated agonist application, which can cause the receptor to become less responsive to certain ligands.
CNR2 is also known as CB-2, CB2, CX5.
