Cited by 439Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchEicosanoids and Hypertension PharmacologyPain Mechanisms and Treatments

Discovery and Characterization of a Highly Selective FAAH Inhibitor that Reduces Inflammatory Pain

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Ahn, Kay, Johnson, Douglas S., Mileni, Mauro, Beidler, David, Long, Jonathan Z., McKinney, Michele K., Weerapana, Eranthie, Sadagopan, Nalini +11 more·2009·Chemistry & Biology

Abstract

Endocannabinoids are lipid signaling molecules that regulate a wide range of mammalian behaviors, including pain, inflammation, and cognitive/emotional state. The endocannabinoid anandamide is principally degraded by the integral membrane enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and there is currently much interest in developing FAAH inhibitors to augment endocannabinoid signaling in vivo. Here, we report the discovery and detailed characterization of a highly efficacious and selective FAAH inhibitor, PF-3845. Mechanistic and structural studies confirm that PF-3845 is a covalent inhibitor that carbamylates FAAH's serine nucleophile. PF-3845 selectively inhibits FAAH in vivo, as determined by activity-based protein profiling; raises brain anandamide levels for up to 24 hr; and produces significant cannabinoid receptor-dependent reductions in inflammatory pain. These data thus designate PF-3845 as a valuable pharmacological tool for in vivo characterization of the endocannabinoid system.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.chembiol.2009.02.013

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Authors
Ahn, K., Johnson, D. S., Mileni, M., Beidler, D., Long, J. Z., McKinney, M. K., Weerapana, E., Sadagopan, N., Liimatta, M., Smith, S. E., Lazerwith, S., Stiff, C., Kamtekar, S., Bhattacharya, K., Zhang, Y., Swaney, S., Van Becelaere, K., Stevens, R. C., & Cravatt, B. F.
Affiliations
  • Pfizer (United States) (US)
  • Scripps Research Institute (US)
Corresponding author
  • Ahn, Kay
  • Stevens, Raymond C.
  • Cravatt, Benjamin F.
Venue
Chemistry & Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-04
Volume
16
Issue
4
Pages
411-420
ISSN
1074-5521 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2002355116
Cited by
439
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 33
FWCI
30.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Chemistry & Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-017259, P01DA017259)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Eicosanoids and Hypertension Pharmacology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH inhibitors, anandamide, endocannabinoid system, inflammatory pain, covalent inhibitors, carbamoylation, cannabinoid receptors, activity-based protein profiling, drug discovery
MeSH terms
Piperazine, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases, Amidohydrolases, Animals, Arachidonic Acids, Brain, Enzyme Inhibitors, Humans, Male, Pain, Piperazines, Piperidines, Structure-Activity Relationship, Urea, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Crystallography, X-Ray, Receptors, Cannabinoid, Rats, Polyunsaturated Alkamides, Endocannabinoids

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