Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive plant cannabinoid that has been
shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antipsychotic,
and antitumor properties in various studies. However, the specific
molecular targets and mechanisms of action of CBD have not yet been
extensively characterized.
In order to examine the effects of CBD on various functions of the
mitochondria, specifically in the context of immune cells of the central
nervous system, Rimmerman et al. used a variety of techniques to
reveal that CBD treatment modulates intracellular calcium levels
in BV-2 cells, as well as contributes to changes in mitochondrial
morphology and function.
Analysis using MST allowed the authors to confirm a direct interaction
between CBD and an outer-mitochondrial membrane protein called
voltage-dependent anion channel 1, or VDAC1. Together, these data identify
a novel mitochondrial target for CBD that was previously unreported
and provides new insight into a potential molecular mechanism for such
interaction, in which CBD inhibition of VDAC1 leads to anticancer effects.
Reveal CBD molecular
target and mechanism of
action in the mitochondria
3
Molecular
interactions
studied
Target: Mitochondrial ion
channel
Ligand: Cannabidiol
Method
MST using Monolith
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