CBGa: A Promising Path to Tumor Cell Self-Destruction

One of the big frustrations with cannabis research is how little of it has been done. Due to restrictive US laws, medical research into this powerful plant has been highly limited– and that’s a real shame, because cannabinoids react with the body in ways that many other chemical compounds do not. These unique methods of interaction could have major impacts on malignant cells and other disease tissues.

However, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, research on cannabinoids and other hemp products has become easier, and we’ve seen a proliferation of interesting medical studies looking at these chemical compounds. Today, we’re going to discuss a study that looks at the interactions between CBGA and the TRPM7 ion channel, a transmitter in the body that controls many elements of cell survival.

What Is TRPM7, and Why Should I Know About It?

The study we’re looking at today explores the relationship between CBGA and the TRPM7 ion channel’s kinase domain. But unless you’re a chemist or a biologist, that might be confusing. So let’s take a closer look at what these things are and why it’s important to understand them. 

First, let’s look at what an ion channel is and what a kinase domain does. If we want to understand how CBGA impacts TRPM7, we first need to understand what TRPM7 actually is!

What Is An Ion Channel?

Imagine your cells as small rooms in a house, and ions are like guests trying to move in and out of these rooms. However, cells have walls that block most ions from freely entering or leaving. Ion channels are like doors or windows in these walls that can open and close to control the flow of ions. They play a crucial role in regulating the balance of ions inside and outside cells, which is necessary for cell health and proper function.

What Is A Kinase Domain?

Now, let’s look at the “kinase domain” part. A kinase is like a switch that can turn other proteins on or off by adding a chemical tag called a phosphate group to them. Think of it as a way to activate or deactivate certain processes within the cell. The “domain” part just means it’s a specific region of a larger protein molecule that has this kinase activity.

So, when we say TRPM7 has a “kinase domain,” it means it has a part that can act like a switch, influencing other proteins in the cell. This adds another layer of complexity to its function, as it not only controls the flow of ions but also can signal other processes within the cell.

What Is TRPM7?

TRPM7 stands for Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7. It’s a type of protein found in the cell membranes of various organisms, including humans. TRPM7 acts as both an ion channel and a kinase. As an ion channel, TRPM7 allows the passage of certain ions, specifically magnesium and calcium, across the cell membrane. This is important for regulating various cellular functions such as muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and cell growth.

Because TRPM7 also has a kinase domain, it can also modify other proteins within the cell by adding phosphate groups to them. This kinase activity allows TRPM7 to influence various cellular processes, including gene expression, cell proliferation, and cell survival.

Overall, TRPM7 plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular function and signaling in the body. Dysfunction of TRPM7 has been implicated in various diseases and disorders, such as cardiovascular disorders, carcinoma, neurological disorders, renal disorders, and more. This makes it  an important target for research in fields such as physiology, pharmacology, and medicine.

What Is CBGA?

Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is a cannabinoid that’s best described as a precursor molecule in the biosynthesis of various cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBGA is the “mother molecule” that turns into THC, CBD (cannabidiol), CBC, and all other cannabinoids. CBGA itself does not possess psychoactive effects like THC, but it plays a crucial role in determining the types and quantities of cannabinoids produced by the plant. CBGA influences the overall chemical profile and therapeutic properties of the hemp plant. Research into CBGA has found that it can have numerous positive effects on seizure conditions, neurodegenerative conditions, colon tumors, and more. 

What Does CBGA Do To TRPM7?

Before we go any further, we do want to point out that these statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is simply sharing information about a new medical study.

TRPM7, like other TRP ion channels, is linked to tumor cells developing. While the direct relationship between TRP ion channels and tumors is complex and not fully understood, emerging evidence suggests that these channels can influence tumor progression through several mechanisms. One of these is calcium signaling. Many TRP channels are permeable to calcium ions, and alterations in calcium signaling have been implicated in tumor development and progression. Dysregulation of calcium levels can affect key cellular processes such as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis (programmed cell death), which are all critical aspects of tumor biology. Inducing apoptosis in tumor cells is one of the primary mechanisms that allows tumors to be fought, since apoptosis kills the diseased cells without targeting or impacting healthy cells.

These ion channels also regulate the production of new blood vessels. This process, called angiogenesis, is essential for tumor growth and metastasis, as it provides nutrients and oxygen to tumor cells and facilitates their spread to distant organs. TRP channels may influence angiogenesis through their effects on endothelial cell function, and the release of pro-angiogenic factors. 

There is also emerging evidence that suggests that certain TRP channels may confer resistance to chemotherapy drugs by modulating the way cells receive signals. TRP channels and calcium signaling can impact drug efflux mechanisms in tumor cells, which means that when TRP channels are active, they make it harder for tumor medication to work. Targeting TRP channels could potentially overcome chemoresistance and improve the efficacy of tumor treatment.

Some TRP channels, such as TRPC1 and TRPM7, have been shown to promote tumor cell migration and invasion by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics and cell adhesion. These processes are crucial because they allow tumor cells to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites in the body. In particular, overexpression of the TRPM7 calcium ion channel is linked to poor prognosis in breast tumors. So finding a way to regulate the TRP ion channels is an important tool in the fight against tumors.

That’s where CBGA comes in. This study was conducted after in vivo rodent tests revealed that  CBGA could protect kidneys from damage and reduce swelling by blocking these TRP ion channels. This study investigates how different cannabinoids affect these channels, and it turns out that half of the tested cannabinoids can partially block them. CBGA stands out as the most effective at blocking the TRP channels, especially TRPM7. The study found that CBGA’s ability to block TRPM7 relies on its kinase domain. The findings suggest that CBGA could be a powerful tool in treating diseases where TRPM7 is involved, like tumor, stroke, and kidney disease.

But CBGA doesn’t just inhibit TRPM7. It also regulates SOCE. SOCE stands for “Store-Operated Calcium Entry.” It’s a fundamental process in cells that involves the regulation of calcium ions (Ca2+) entering the cell from the extracellular space. The increase in intracellular calcium concentration resulting from SOCE activation triggers various cellular responses and signaling pathways. These responses can regulate processes such as cell proliferation, gene expression, neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction, and immune cell activation. SOCE plays a critical role in maintaining calcium homeostasis within cells and is involved in a wide range of physiological processes. Dysregulation of SOCE has been implicated in various diseases, including immune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and tumors. 

So what does CBGA do? Essentially, it strongly limits tumor cells’ ability to transmit information via a specific type of calcium channel: CRAC channels. CRAC channels, short for “Calcium Release-Activated Calcium” channels, are specialized ion channels found in the membranes of many types of cells, including immune cells like T lymphocytes. These channels play a crucial role in regulating the influx of calcium ions into cells in response to specific signals. When these signals are inhibited, the cells are unable to grow and often die off through apoptosis. This means that this type of calcium signaling inhibition can have amazing therapeutic potential for various medical conditions. Some of the medical conditions in which CRAC channel inhibitors might be useful include autoimmune and allergic disorders, transplant rejection, pancreatic diseases, chronic discomfort, and various tumors. By being able to regulate and control both TRPM7 and CRAC channels, CBGA looks like it may be an important tool in the fight against tumors. 

If that wasn’t enough, the researchers also found that CBGA also highly inhibits the production of cytokines, provoking chemicals that are often responsible for kidney damage and other organ injury. This is also related to TRPM7 function, as TRPM7 has been implicated in the regulation of cytokine production and swelling. This shows that CBGA’s effects on TRPM7 extend beyond its role in ion channel activity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for conditions associated with swelling and cytokine-mediated tissue damage.

Ultimately, this research is an important step in understanding the role that CBGA may play in medical care. While more research is necessary, this study represents an important step forward in anti-tumor research.

At Myriam’s Hemp, we want everybody to have access to the information that they need to make decisions about their wellness. We got our start when our mom was fighting her own battle with tumors, and we know how hard these decisions can be. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you have about our premium hemp products!

FDA Disclaimer: The claims in this blog post are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any CBD product.