| abstract |
Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences corresponding to FLAT, a partly cytosolic variant of the intracellular anandamide-degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase-1 (FAAH-1), are provided. FLAT lacks amidase activity but binds the endocannibinoid anandamide and facilitates its transport into cells. A chemical scaffold for the inhibition of anandamide transport is identified. Compositions of the invention prevent anandamide internalization in vitro, interrupt anandamide deactivation in vivo, and cause profound CB1 cannabinoid receptor-mediated analgesia in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. Accordingly, the invention also provides methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the modulation of anandamide transport would be of benefit. |