The Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Downstream Signaling Antibody Sampler Kit provides an economical means of detecting the activation of downstream cannabinoid receptor signaling pathways using phospho-specific and control antibodies. The kit includes enough antibodies to perform two western blot experiments with each primary antibody.

Cannabinoid receptors mediate a number of physiological processes in the brain ranging from appetite regulation, pain, learning, and memory (1). The major cannabinoid receptors in the brain include CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).  CB1 interacts with other GPCRs including metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, mGluR1 (2). Endogenous ligands, endocannabinoids, but also exogenously introduced compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), activate cannabinoid receptors by promoting the exchange of GDP for GTP, leading to a cascade of signaling pathways that are activated to drive various functions. Some of these functions include neurite outgrowth, inflammation, and transcriptional control (3). Components of this kit are readouts for several downstream signaling components of CB1 receptor and they can also be used as a readout for CB1 activation and function. Cannabinoid receptor function is not limited to brain function but may modulate peripheral functions, including immune responses (4,5).