FABP1 controls hepatic transport and biotransformation of Δ9-THC

Sci Rep. 2019 May 20;9(1):7588. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44108-3.

Abstract

The increasing use of medical marijuana highlights the importance of developing a better understanding of cannabinoid metabolism. Phytocannabinoids, including ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are metabolized and inactivated by cytochrome P450 enzymes primarily within the liver. The lipophilic nature of cannabinoids necessitates mechanism(s) to facilitate their intracellular transport to metabolic enzymes. Here, we test the central hypothesis that liver-type fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) mediates phytocannabinoid transport and subsequent inactivation. Using X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, and in vitro binding approaches we demonstrate that FABP1 accommodates one molecule of THC within its ligand binding pocket. Consistent with its role as a THC carrier, biotransformation of THC was reduced in primary hepatocytes obtained from FABP1-knockout (FABP1-KO) mice. Compared to their wild-type littermates, administration of THC to male and female FABP1-KO mice potentiated the physiological and behavioral effects of THC. The stark pharmacodynamic differences were confirmed upon pharmacokinetic analyses which revealed that FABP1-KO mice exhibit reduced rates of THC biotransformation. Collectively, these data position FABP1 as a hepatic THC transport protein and a critical mediator of cannabinoid inactivation. Since commonly used medications bind to FABP1 with comparable affinities to THC, our results further suggest that FABP1 could serve a previously unrecognized site of drug-drug interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Biotransformation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dronabinol / administration & dosage
  • Dronabinol / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Molecular

Substances

  • FABP1 protein, human
  • Fabp1 protein, mouse
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • Dronabinol