Monoamine neurotransmitter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monoamine neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH2-CH2-). All monoamines are derived from aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, tryptophan, and the thyroid hormones by the action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymes.
[edit] Examples
- Catecholamines:
- Dopamine (DA)
- Norepinephrine (NE) (noradrenaline, NA)
- Epinephrine (Epi) (adrenaline)
- Serotonin (5-HT)
- Melatonin
- Histamine
- Thyronamines, a new group of compounds derived from thyroid hormones
- Trace amines:
- β-Phenylethylamine (PEA, β-PEA)
- Tyramine
- Tryptamine
Specific transporter proteins called monoamine transporters exist that transport monoamines in or out of a cell. These are the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the outer cell membrane and the vesicular monoamine transporters 1 and 2 (VMAT-1 and VMAT-2) in the membrane of intracellular vesicles.
Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters after they have been released into the synapse.
