Norepinephrine methylation

Hydroxyl, as well as amino and thiol groups, may be metabolized through methylation, the methyl donor being S -adenosyl methionine, the product of the interaction of ATP with methionine. Usually, it is a minor metabolic route in xenobiotic metabolism, but it plays a major role in the metabolism of endogenous substrates such as noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Methylation is catalyzed by methyltransferases located in the mitochondria. 

Amino acid-derived hormones include the catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (qv), and the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine (see Thyroid AND ANTITHYROID PREPARATIONS). Catecholamines are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine by a series of enzymatic reactions that include hydroxylations, decarboxylations, and methylations. Thyroid hormones also are derived from tyrosine iodination of the tyrosine residues on a large protein backbone results in the production of active hormone. 

Synthetic chemical approaches to the preparation of carbon-14 labeled materials iavolve a number of basic building blocks prepared from barium [ CJ-carbonate (2). These are carbon [ C]-dioxide [ CJ-acetjlene [U— C]-ben2ene, where U = uniformly labeled [1- and 2- C]-sodium acetate, [ C]-methyl iodide, [ C]-methanol, sodium [ C]-cyanide, and [ CJ-urea. Many compHcated radiotracers are synthesized from these materials. Some examples are [l- C]-8,ll,14-eicosatrienoic acid [3435-80-1] inoxn. [ CJ-carbon dioxide, [ting-U— C]-phenyhsothiocyanate [77590-93-3] ftom [ " CJ-acetjlene, [7- " C]-norepinephrine [18155-53-8] from [l- " C]-acetic acid, [4- " C]-cholesterol [1976-77-8] from [ " CJ-methyl iodide, [l- " C]-glucose [4005-41-8] from sodium [ " C]-cyanide, and [2- " C]-uracil [626-07-3] [27017-27-2] from [ " C]-urea. All syntheses of the basic radioactive building blocks have been described (4). 

Methyldopa, through its metaboHte, CX-methyInorepinephrine formed in the brain, acts on the postsynaptic tt2-adrenoceptor in the central nervous system. It reduces the adrenergic outflow to the cardiovascular system, thereby decreasing arterial blood pressure. If the conversion of methyldopa to CX-methyl norepinephrine in the brain is prevented by a dopamine -hydroxylase inhibitor capable of penetrating into the brain, it loses its antihypertensive effects. 

Figure 11.16) in which S-adenosy1 methionine transferred a methyl group to norepinephrine to give adrenaline. 

Neural cells convert tyrosine to epinephrine and norepinephrine (Figure 31—5). While dopa is also an intermediate in the formation of melanin, different enzymes hydroxylate tyrosine in melanocytes. Dopa decarboxylase, a pyridoxai phosphate-dependent enzyme, forms dopamine. Subsequent hydroxylation by dopamine P-oxidase then forms norepinephrine. In the adrenal medulla, phenylethanolamine-A -methyltransferase uti-hzes S-adenosyhnethionine to methylate the primary amine of norepinephrine, forming epinephrine (Figure 31-5). Tyrosine is also a precursor of triiodothyronine and thyroxine (Chapter 42). 

The conversion of tyrosine to epinephrine requires four sequential steps (1) ring hydroxylation (2) decarboxylation (3) side chain hydroxylation to form norepinephrine and (4) N-methylation to form epinephrine. The biosynthetic pathway and the enzymes involved are illustrated in Figure 42-10. 

PNMT catalyzes the N-methylation of norepinephrine to form epinephrine in the epinephrine-forming cells of the adrenal medulla. Since PNMT is soluble, it is assumed that norepinephrine-to-epinephrine conversion occurs in the cytoplasm. The synthesis of PNMT is induced by glucocorticoid hormones that reach the medulla via the intra-adrenal portal system. This special system provides for a 100-fold steroid concentration gradient over systemic arterial blood, and this high intra-adrenal concentration appears to be necessary for the induction of PNMT. 

As previously mentioned, the cells of the adrenal medulla are considered modified sympathetic postganglionic neurons. Instead of a neurotransmitter, these cells release hormones into the blood. Approximately 20% of the hormonal output of the adrenal medulla is norepinephrine. The remaining 80% is epinephrine (EPI). Unlike true postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic system, the adrenal medulla contains an enzyme that methylates norepinephrine to form epinephrine. The synthesis of epinephrine, also known as adrenalin, is enhanced under conditions of stress. These two hormones released by the adrenal medulla are collectively referred to as the catecholamines. 

Buck K., Amara S. Chimeric dopamine-norepinephrine transporters delineate structural domains influencing selectivity for catecholamines and l-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91 12584, 1994. 

The figure below illustrates proposed sites of action of drugs. Tor each drug listedt select the site of action that the drug is most likely to inhibit (a, a receptor iT J3 receptor COMTt cat e cho l-O-methyl transferase MAOt monoamine oxidase NET norepinephrine NMNt normetanephrine). 

Epinephrine is synthesized from NE in the adrenal medulla. Norepinephrine is methylated by phenylethanolamine-N-m ethyl transferase. Neurons containing this enzyme are also found in the CNS. 

The catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine are neurotransmitters and/or hormones in the periphery and in the CNS. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter in the brain as well as in postganglionic, sympathetic neurons. Dopamine, the precursor of norepinephrine, has biological activity in the periphery, most particularly in the kidney, and serves as a neurotransmitter in several important pathways in the CNS. Epinephrine, formed by the N-methylation of norepinephrine, is a hormone released from the adrenal gland, and it stimulates catecholamine receptors in a variety of organs. Small amounts of epinephrine are also found in the CNS, particularly in the brainstem. 

In cells that synthesize epinephrine, the final step in the pathway is catalyzed by the enzyme phenylethanolamine /V-methyltransferase. This enzyme is found in a small group of neurons in the brainstem that use epinephrine as their neurotransmitter and in the adrenal medullary cells, for which epinephrine is the primary hormone secreted. Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to the nitrogen of norepinephrine, forming a secondary amine [5]. The coding sequence of bovine PNMT is contained in a... 

Ordinarily, low concentrations of catecholamines are free in the cytosol, where they may be metabolized by enzymes including monoamine oxidase (MAO). Thus, conversion of tyrosine to l-DOPA and l-DOPA to dopamine occurs in the cytosol dopamine then is taken up into the storage vesicles. In norepinephrine-containing neurons, the final P-hydroxylation occurs within the vesicles. In the adrenal gland, norepinephrine is N-methylated by PNMT in the cytoplasm. Epinephrine is then transported back into chromaffin granules for storage. 

APA, American Psychiatric Association Ca+, calcium Cl", chloride DA, dopamine GABA, ) aminobutyric acid 5-HT, serotonin K+, potassium Na+, sodium NMDA, /V-methyl-D-aspartate NE, norepinephrine. 

V-methyltransferase, active toward histamine and the catechol neurotransmitters, e.g., norepinephrine, is even more restrictive than COMT in terms of the metabolism of exogenous compounds. A class of compounds that does appear to be susceptible to N-methylation are azaheterocycles, particularly those that contain pyridine as part of the... 

Inhibition of norepinephrine biosynthesis can be achieved quite well by chronic oral administration of the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor CH-methyl-p-tyrosine (LXII) but reduction in blood pressure was not achieved in patients with essential hypertension (77). Another potent inhibitor, 3-iodotyrosine (LXIII) was also inactive in man (78). Apparently, substantial reduction of norepinephrine (50-70%) is not enough to achieve the desired effect. 

The first step is catalysed by the tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase), which is regulated by end-product feedback is the rate controlling step in this pathway. A second hydroxylation reaction, that of dopamine to noradrenaline (norepinephrine) (dopamine [3 oxygenase) requires ascorbate (vitamin C). The final reaction is the conversion of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) to adrenaline (epinephrine). This is a methylation step catalysed by phenylethanolamine-jV-methyl transferase (PNMT) in which S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) acts as the methyl group donor. Contrast this with catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) which takes part in catecholamine degradation (Section 4.6). 

Synthesis of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) is shown in Figure 4.7. This follows the same route as synthesis of adrenaline (epinephrine) but terminates at noradrenaline (norepinephrine) because parasympathetic neurones lack the phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase required to form adrenaline (epinephrine). Acetylcholine is synthesized from acetyl-Co A and choline by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (CAT). Choline is made available for this reaction by uptake, via specific high-affinity transporters, within the axonal membrane. Following their synthesis, noradrenaline (norepinephrine) or acetylcholine are stored within vesicles. Release from the vesicle occurs when the incoming nerve impulse causes an influx of calcium ions resulting in exocytosis of the neurotransmitter. 

In contrast, much is known about the catabolism of catecholamines. Adrenaline (epinephrine) released into the plasma to act as a classical hormone and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) from the parasympathetic nerves are substrates for two important enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO) found in the mitochondria of sympathetic neurones and the more widely distributed catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) undergoes re-uptake from the synaptic cleft by high-affrnity transporters and once within the neurone may be stored within vesicles for reuse or subjected to oxidative decarboxylation by MAO. Dopamine and serotonin are also substrates for MAO and are therefore catabolized in a similar fashion to adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), the final products being homo-vanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) respectively. 

The pattern of data on the role of al receptors (pentamers of the al subunit) is far from clear. Nomikos et al. (1999) reported sharply reduced locomotor activity in nicotine-dependent rats injected with the selective al antagonist methyl-lycaconitine (MLA). Barik and Wonnacott (2006) found increased al sensitivity in the hippocampus of rats during nicotine withdrawal, as evidence by increased norepinephrine release in response to an al agonist. On the other hand, Markou and Paterson (2001) reported that systemically administered ML A failed to precipitate either somatically expressed withdrawal behaviors or altered ICSS thresholds. 

Note that in nature, these are all enzyme-catalysed reactions. This makes the reactions totally specific. It means possible competing Sn2 reactions involving attack at either of the two methylene carbons in SAM are not encountered. It also means that where the substrate contains two or more potential nucleophiles, reaction occurs at only one site, dictated by the enzyme. The enzymes are usually termed methyltransferases. Thus, in animals an A-methyltransferase is responsible for SAM-dependent A-methylation of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) to adrenaline (epinephrine), whereas an O-methyltransferase in plants catalyses esterification of salicylic acid to methyl salicylate. 

Methylations are catalyzed by a family of relatively specific methyl-transferases involving the transfer of methyl groups to hydroxyl groups (0-methylation as in norepinephrine [noradrenaline]) or to amino groups (N-methylation of norepinephrine, histamine, or serotonin). 

The coenzyme tetrahydrofolate (THF) is the main agent by which Ci fragments are transferred in the metabolism. THF can bind this type of group in various oxidation states and pass it on (see p. 108). In addition, there is activated methyl, in the form of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). SAM is involved in many methylation reactions—e. g., in creatine synthesis (see p. 336), the conversion of norepinephrine into epinephrine (see p. 352), the inactivation of norepinephrine by methylation of a phenolic OH group (see p. 316), and in the formation of the active form of the cytostatic drug 6-mercaptopurine (see p. 402). 

Methylations. Example (2) illustrates the inactivation of the catecholamine norepinephrine by methylation of a phenolic OH group (see p. 334). 

Finally, N-methylation of norepinephrine yields epinephrine (adrenaline). The coenzyme for this reaction is S-adenosylme-thionine (SAM see p. 110). 

Methyltransferases that utilize S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor (and thus generating S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine) catalyze (a) A-methylation (e.g., norepinephrine methyltransferase, histamine methyltransferase, glycine methyltransferase, and DNA-(adenine-A ) methyltransferase), (b) O-methylation (e.g., acetylsero-tonin methyltransferase, catechol methyltransferase, and tRNA-(guanosine-0 ) methyltransferase), (c) S-methyl-ation (e.g., thiopurine methyltransferase and methionine S-methyltransferase), (d) C-methylation (eg., DNA-(cy-tosine-5) methyltransferase and indolepyruvate methyltransferase), and even (e) Co(II)-methylation during the course of the reaction catalyzed by methionine syn-thase. ... 

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