Cited by 434Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchMitochondrial Function and PathologyNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

A cannabinoid link between mitochondria and memory

Hebert-Chatelain, Etienne, Desprez, Tifany, Serrat, Román, Bellocchio, Luigi, Soria-Gomez, Edgar, Busquets-Garcia, Arnau, Pagano Zottola, Antonio Christian, Delamarre, Anna +20 more·2016·Nature

Abstract

Cellular activity in the brain depends on the high energetic support provided by mitochondria, the cell organelles which use energy sources to generate ATP. Acute cannabinoid intoxication induces amnesia in humans and animals, and the activation of type-1 cannabinoid receptors present at brain mitochondria membranes (mtCB 1) can directly alter mitochondrial energetic activity. Although the pathological impact of chronic mitochondrial dysfunctions in the brain is well established, the involvement of acute modulation of mitochondrial activity in high brain functions, including learning and memory, is unknown. Here, we show that acute cannabinoid-induced memory impairment in mice requires activation of hippocampal mtCB 1 receptors. Genetic exclusion of CB 1 receptors from hippocampal mitochondria prevents cannabinoid-induced reduction of mitochondrial mobility, synaptic transmission and memory formation. mtCB 1 receptors signal through intra-mitochondrial Gα i protein activation and consequent inhibition of soluble-adenylyl cyclase (sAC). The resulting inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of specific subunits of the mitochondrial electron transport system eventually leads to decreased cellular respiration. Hippocampal inhibition of sAC activity or manipulation of intra-mitochondrial PKA signalling or phosphorylation of the Complex I subunit NDUFS2 inhibit bioenergetic and amnesic effects of cannabinoids. Thus, the G protein-coupled mtCB 1 receptors regulate memory processes via modulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. By directly linking mitochondrial activity to memory formation, these data reveal that bioenergetic processes are primary acute regulators of cognitive functions.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature20127

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Authors
Hebert-Chatelain, E., Desprez, T., Serrat, R., Bellocchio, L., Soria-Gomez, E., Busquets-Garcia, A., Pagano Zottola, A. C., Delamarre, A., Cannich, A., Vincent, P., Varilh, M., Robin, L. M., Terral, G., García-Fernández, M. D., Colavita, M., Mazier, W., Drago, F., Puente, N., Reguero, L., Elezgarai, I., Dupuy, J.-W., Cota, D., Lopez-Rodriguez, M.-L., Barreda-Gómez, G., Massa, F., Grandes, P., Bénard, G., & Marsicano, G.
Affiliations
  • Université de Bordeaux (FR)
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
  • University of the Basque Country (ES)
  • University of Catania (IT)
Corresponding author
Marsicano, Giovanni
Venue
Nature
Published
2016-11
Volume
539
Issue
7630
Pages
555-559
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2551139658
Cited by
434
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 2
FWCI
31.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-13-BSV4-0006, ANR-10-LABX-0043)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
cannabinoids, CB1 receptor, memory impairment, amnesia, hippocampus, mitochondrial bioenergetics, synaptic transmission, Gi protein, soluble adenylyl cyclase, protein kinase A, NDUFS2, mitochondrial electron transport chain, cellular respiration, cognitive function
MeSH terms
Adenylyl Cyclases, Animals, Cannabinoids, Electron Transport, Energy Metabolism, Female, Hippocampus, Male, Memory, Memory Disorders, Mitochondria, NADH Dehydrogenase, Synaptic Transmission, Oxidative Phosphorylation, Signal Transduction, Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Cell Respiration, GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go, Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1, Mitochondrial Membranes, Mice

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