O00519

FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) is a membrane-bound enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, responsible for the hydrolysis of multiple primary and secondary fatty acid amides, including the neuromodulatory compounds anandamine and oleamide. The degradation of anandamide to arachadonic acid and oleamide to oleic acid, terminates the signaling function of these molecules (2, 3). FAAH degrades amides and esters with equivalent catalytic efficiency, enabling FAAH to function effectively as both an amidase and esterase. FAAH contributes to anandamide uptake by creating and maintaining an inward concentration gradient for anandamide.