Agmatine

Agmatine
Identifiers
CAS number 306-60-5 Y
PubChem 199
ChemSpider 194 Y
KEGG C00179 Y
ChEBI CHEBI:17431 Y
ChEMBL CHEMBL58343 Y, CHEMBL1256618
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C5H14N4
Molar mass 130.19 g mol−1
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Agmatine ((4-aminobutyl)guanidine, NH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C(-NH2)(=NH)) is the decarboxylation product of the amino acid arginine and is an intermediate in polyamine biosynthesis. It is discussed as a putative neurotransmitter. It is synthesized in the brain, stored in synaptic vesicles, accumulated by uptake, released by membrane depolarization, and inactivated by agmatinase. Agmatine binds to α2-adrenergic receptor and imidazoline binding sites, and blocks NMDA receptors and other cation ligand-gated channels. Agmatine inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and induces the release of some peptide hormones.

Contents

Clinical significance

Treatment with exogenous agmatine exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of ischemia and neurotrauma.

History

The term "agmatine" was coined in 1910 by Albrecht Kossel, the German scientist who first identified the substance in herring sperm.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kossel, Albrecht 1910. Über das Agmatin. Zeitschrift für Physiologische Chemie 66: 257-261

Further reading