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. 2021 Jul 5;12:699661. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.699661

Table 1.

Summary of similarities and differences of expression of biosynthetic and degrading enzymes in mouse, rat and human islets.

EC Enzymes Islet cell types Confirmed by References
Mouse
Biosynthetic
DAGLα α-cells IF (19)
Mainly β-cells and less in α-cells IF (24)
α-cells (fetal) IF (55)
NAPE-PLD α-cells IHC, IF (19)
Mainly β-cells and less in α-cells IF (24)
Metabolizing
MAGL β-cells IHC, IF (19)
α- and β-cells IF (24)
α-cells (fetal) IF (55)
FAAH β-cells IF (19)
β-cells IF (24)
Rat
Metabolizing
MAGL δ-cells IF (20)
FAAH Strong expression in α-cells and weak in β-cells IF (20)
Human
Biosynthetic
DAGLα Mainly β-cells and less in α-cells IF (24)
α-cells IF (55)
NAPE-PLD Mainly β-cells and less in α-cells IF (24)
Metabolizing
MAGL Unreliable staining --- (20)
α- and β-cells IF (24)
α- and β-cells IHC (66)
FAAH Mainly α-cells and weak in β-cells IF (20)
Mostly found in β-cell-rich areas IF (16)
β-cells IF (24)

2-AG synthesis requires diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα), whereas AEA synthesis requires N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). Degrading enzymes for 2-AG and AEA inactivation are MAGL and FAAH, respectively.

IF, immunofluorescence; IHC, immunohistochemistry.