Assessment of endocannabinoids' action on cell membrane fluidity and intracellular calcium imaging

• Grant number: 22/13348-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Manoel de Arcisio Miranda Filho
• Grantee: Amanda Sansone Semerdjian
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in physiological processes by modulating its action. This system comprises highly hydrophobic endocannabinoid ligands (eCBs), cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and proteins involved in metabolic issues. Opposite to the canonical vision of the system, which associates the endocannabinoid action with classical receptors, experimental evidence supports a receptor-free mechanism. Endocannabinoids are well known to interact with biological membranes and therefore, with proteins anchored to them. Thus, this project proposal aims to assess the endocannabinoid action on neuron membrane organization along with their action on intracellular calcium levels. Acid retinoic differentiated SH-SY5Y is the cell lineage chosen to be our experimental model. Membrane fluidity and intracellular calcium levels will be evaluated by means of fluorescent measures. Statistical analysis will be determined by the two-way ANOVA test and Bonferroni's method. Findings are expected to elucidate endocannabinoid system mechanisms and mode of action at a cellular level.