Glycerophospho-N-Arachidonoyl Ethanolamine

N-Acylated ethanolamines (NAE) are naturally-occurring lipids that have diverse bioactivities. The different types of NAE can be derived from glycerophospho-linked precursors by the activity of glycerophosphodiesterase 1 (GDE1). Glycerophospho-N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine is the precursor of arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA), also known as anandamide. AEA is an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter that binds to both central cannabinoid (CB1) and peripheral cannabinoid (CB2) receptors. It inhibits the specific binding of [3H]-HU-243 to synaptosomal membranes with a Ki value of 52 nM, compared to 46 nM for δ9-THC.