- Bertolacci, Laura;
- Romeo, Elisa;
- Veronesi, Marina;
- Magotti, Paola;
- Albani, Clara;
- Dionisi, Mauro;
- Lambruschini, Chiara;
- Scarpelli, Rita;
- Cavalli, Andrea;
- De Vivo, Marco;
- Piomelli, Daniele;
- Garau, Gianpiero
In addition to inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated biosynthesis of prostanoids, various widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) enhance endocannabinoid signaling by blocking the anandamide-degrading membrane enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The X-ray structure of FAAH in complex with the NSAID carprofen, along with site-directed mutagenesis, enzyme activity assays, and NMR analysis, has revealed the molecular details of this interaction, providing information that may guide the design of dual FAAH-COX inhibitors with superior analgesic efficacy.