Molecular Pharmacology of Cannabinoid Receptor 2, a Promising Therapeutic Target

Dr Natasha Lillia Grimsey, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology
and Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,
joins us from The University of Auckland, New Zealand, to present:

Molecular Pharmacology of Cannabinoid Receptor 2, a Promising Therapeutic Target

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with considerable, though as-yet unrealised, therapeutic potential. Predominantly expressed in the immune system, CB2 activation is associated with immune suppression, and is thus of particular interest as a therapeutic target in a diverse range of disorders involving immune system over-activation.  Although expressed at only a low level in the healthy brain, CB2 is upregulated in neuroinflammation and thought to be a promising target.

CB2 is under-studied in comparison with many other GPCRs.  I will discuss my lab’s current efforts to further our understanding of CB2 molecular pharmacology in a variety of aspects.  CB2 is observed to be expressed both on the cell surface and intracellularly, and exhibits an unusual trafficking response to orthosteric ligands; we are investigating control of this trafficking, and influences on signalling.  I will also report on our findings regarding the functional impact of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and differences in pharmacology between human and rodent CB2 – both of which provide challenges and opportunities for developing CB2 as a therapeutic target.

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Bio: Dr Natasha Grimsey leads the G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Molecular Pharmacology lab in the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology.

She holds a Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Fellowship (Health Research Council NZ), is a Principal Investigator of the Centre for Brain Research, and is an Affiliate Investigator of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery.

Dr Grimsey is a University of Auckland graduate (BSc/BCom, Hons Biomedical Science, PhD Pharmacology 2010) who completed postdoctoral training under eminent molecular pharmacologist Professor Michelle Glass. Dr Grimsey's independent lab was established in 2016 and she has been awarded prestigious grants as principal investigator including a Marsden Fast-Start project grant, a Health Research Council Emerging Researcher First Grant, and an Auckland Medical Research Foundation Edith C. Coan Fellowship.

Natasha's research focuses on GPCR signalling and intracellular trafficking, with emphasis on the cannabinoid receptors and how these influence normal physiology and disease, as well as the development of quantitative assays utilising high-throughput techniques.