Norepinephrine structure

Catecholamines are biogenic amines with a catechol (o-dihydroxy-benzol) structure. They are synthesized in nerve endings from tyrosine and include dopamine, noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline (epinephrine). 

Trace amines are a family of endogenous monoamine compounds including (3-phenylethylamine (PEA), p-tyramine (TYR), tryptamine (TRP) and octopamine (OCT). The trace amines share close structural similarity with the well known classical monoamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT). As their name suggests, trace amines occur in comparably much lower abundance than monoamine neurotransmitters. For historical reasons, other endogenous amine compounds which might share some structural similarities with PEA, TYR, TRP or OCT are not referred to as trace amines. 

The vesicular monoamine transporters (VMATs) were identified in a screen for genes that confer resistance to the parkinsonian neurotoxin MPP+ [2]. The resistance apparently results from sequestration of the toxin inside vesicles, away from its primary site of action in mitochondria. In addition to recognizing MPP+, the transporter s mediate the uptake of dopamine, ser otonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine by neurons and endocrine cells. Structurally, the VMATs show no relationship to plasma membrane monoamine transporters. 

Important products derived from amino acids include heme, purines, pyrimidines, hormones, neurotransmitters, and biologically active peptides. In addition, many proteins contain amino acids that have been modified for a specific function such as binding calcium or as intermediates that serve to stabilize proteins—generally structural proteins—by subsequent covalent cross-hnk-ing. The amino acid residues in those proteins serve as precursors for these modified residues. Small peptides or peptide-like molecules not synthesized on ribosomes fulfill specific functions in cells. Histamine plays a central role in many allergic reactions. Neurotransmitters derived from amino acids include y-aminobutyrate, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Many drugs used to treat neurologic and psychiatric conditions affect the metabolism of these neurotransmitters. 

Povlock, SL and Amara, SG (1997) The structure and function of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin transporters. In Neurotransmitter Transporters Structure, Function, and Regulation (Ed. Reith, MEA), Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, pp. 1-28. 

Dopamine /3-hydroxylase (D/3H) is a copper-containing glycoprotein that hydroxylates dopamine at the benzylic position to norepinephrine.84 During the attempted crystallization of the bis(hydroxide)-bridged dicopper(II) dimer, a side product was subsequently isolated (complex (63)), revealing intramolecular hydroxylation at a formally benzylic position of the tris(imidazo-lyl)phosphine ligand.85 The copper(II) center has an axially compressed TBP structure. 

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 answer is local anesthetic properties it can block the initiation or conduction of a nerve impulse. It is biotransformed by plasma esterases to inactive products. In addition, cocaine blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine. This action produces CNS stimulant effects including euphoria, excitement, and restlessness Peripherally, cocaine produces sympathomimetic effects including tachycardia and vasoconstriction. Death from acute overdose can be from respiratory depression or cardiac failure Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and is closely related to the structure of atropine. 

Although there is structural homology among the transporters for 5-HT, norepinephrine and dopamine, some drugs exhibit great selectivity at inhibiting the activity of just one of these proteins. For example, the selective norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor reboxetine is 150 times more potent at inhibiting norepinephrine transport... 

The chemical structure of histamine has similarities to the structures of other biogenic amines, but important differences also exist. Chemically, histamine is 2-(4-imidazolyl)ethylamine (Fig. 14-1). The ethylamine backbone is a common feature of many of the amine transmitters (e.g. dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin). However, the imidazole nucleus, absent from other known transmitters, endows histamine with several distinct chemical properties. Among these is prototypic tautomerism, a property that permits it to exist in two different chemical forms (Fig. 14-1). The tautomeric properties of histamine are thought to be critical in the... 

The goal of treatment of SUI is to improve urethral closure by stimulating a-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the bladder neck and proximal urethra, enhancing supportive structures underlying the urethral epithelium, or enhancing serotonin and norepinephrine effects in the micturition reflex pathways. 

The biogenic amines are the preferred substrates of MAO. The enzyme comes in two flavors, MAO-A and MAO-B, both of which, like FMO, rely on the redox properties of FAD for their oxidative machinery. The two isoforms share a sequence homology of approximately 70% (81) and are found in the outer mitochondrial membrane, but they differ in substrate selectivity and tissue distribution. In mammalian tissues MAO-A is located primarily in the placenta, gut, and liver, while MAO-B is predominant in the brain, liver, and platelets. MAO-A is selective for serotonin and norepinephrine and is selectively inhibited by the mechanism-based inhibitor clorgyline (82). MAO-B is selective for /1-phcncthylaminc and tryptamine, and it is selectively inhibited by the mechanism-based inhibitors, deprenyl and pargyline (82) (Fig. 4.32). Recently, both MAO-A (83) and MAO-B (84) were structurally characterized by x-ray crystallography. 

FIGURE 4.32 Structures of the MAO-A substrates (serotonin, norepinephrine), their deaminated metabolites, and its selective inhibitor, clorgyline, as well as the structures of the MAO-B substrates (/3-phenethylamine, trytamine), their deaminated metabolites, and its selective inhibitors, deprenyl and pargyline. 

When norepinephrine is substituted in the storage sites by amines of similar structure which are less agonistic, these agents are called "false transmitters." Until its central... 

In addition to their well known role in protein structure, amino acids also act as precursors to a number of other important biological molecules. For example, the synthesis of haem (see also Section 5.3.1), which occurs in, among other tissues, the liver begins with glycine and succinyl-CoA. The amino acid tyrosine which maybe produced in the liver from metabolism of phenylalanine is the precursor of thyroid hormones, melanin, adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and dopamine. The biosynthesis of some of these signalling molecules is described in Section 4.4. 

Tricyclic drugs have, as the name implies, a three-ring structure, and interfere with reuptake of norepinephrine and/or serotonin into axon terminals. Tricyclic drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventil). Tricyclics have the occasional but unfortunate cardiovascular side effects of arrhythmia and postural hypotension. Newer, nontricyclic antidepressants have been developed that are collectively referred to as SSRIs. These have a potent and selective action on serotonin, and lack the cardiovascular side effects of the tricyclics. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox). A fifth SSRI, citalopram (Celexa) has been used in Europe and has recently been approved in the United States. Venlafaxine (Effexor) blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, while bupropion (Wellbutrin) acts on both dopamine and norepinephrine. 

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