Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

nsf-logo[1]

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Graduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Faculty Abstract Locator (2020)
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • App
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • Video Contest
    • Video Contest Winners
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amid Hydrolase, but not Monoacylglycerol lipase, Interfere with Cephalic Regeneration in Girardia tigrina

Undergraduate #72
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Shamara Wright - University of the District of Columbia
Co-Author(s): Kafayat Husband and Rosie Sneed, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC



The endocannabinoid system is a major regulator of physiologic functions in mammals such as pain and memory. In previous studies in our laboratory, treatment with the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 inhibited cephalic regeneration in the North American brown planarian Girardia tigrina (Girard, 1850). To further define the role of endocannabinoids in planarians, we focused on the enzymes regulating breakdown of the endogenous cannabinoids, anandamide and 2arachidonylglycerol, the major mechanism by which the actions of endogenous cannabinoids are terminated in the body. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is specific for anandamide and related compounds while 2-arachidonyl glycerol is degraded by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). We hypothesize that inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation will produce an effect similar to treatment with exogenous cannabinoids due to both prolongation of action and increased levels. Decapitated planarians were treated with either normal media, DMSO solvent control, PF-3845 (4.5 mM), URB597 (16 mM) (both inhibitors of FAAH), or KML29 (16 mM) (an inhibitor of MAGL) over a period of 5 days and the effects on cephalic regeneration were recorded. Planarians treated with either PF-3845 or URB597 had significantly reduced cephalic regeneration compared to controls; however, cephalic regeneration in KML29 -treated animals was very similar to controls. These data suggest that the primary endocannabionoid found in planarians is anandamide or a closely related compound. Future studies will seek to directly measure the levels of anandamide and the other ethanolamines thought to be significant in the endocannabinoid system.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Institute of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF). Supported by NIH Award T36GM101997-02

Faculty Advisor: Rosie Sneed,

ERN Conference

The 2022 ERN Conference has been postponed.

Full Notice

What’s New

  • Congratulations to Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy on her 2021 AAAS Fellowship
  • Event Vaccination and Liability Policy
  • Webinars
  • Events|Opportunities
  • AAAS CEO Comments on Social Unrest, Racism, and Inequality
  • Maintaining Accessibility in Online Teaching During COVID-19
  • In the News
  • HBCU/CREST PI/PD Meeting

Conference Photos

ERN Conference Photo Galleries

Awards

ERN Conference Award Winners

Checking In

nsf-logo[1]

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

The World's Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

 

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law
© 2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science