A biogenic amine is a biogenic substance with one or more amine groups.

Examples [edit]

Some prominent examples of biogenic amines include:

• Histamine - a substance derived from the amino acid histidine that acts as a neurotransmitter mediating arousal and attention, as well as a pro-inflammatory signal released from mast cells in response to allergic reactions or tissue damage. Histamine is also an important stimulant of HCl secretion by the stomach through histamine H₂ receptors.
• Serotonin - a central nervous system neurotransmitter derived from the amino acid tryptophan involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and sexuality.
• The three catecholamine neurotransmitters:
  • Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) - a neurotransmitter involved in sleep and wakefulness, attention, and feeding behavior, as well as a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands that regulates the sympathetic nervous system.
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline) - an adrenal stress hormone, as well as a neurotransmitter present at lower levels in the brain.
  • Dopamine - a neurotransmitter involved in motivation, reward, addiction, behavioral reinforcement, and coordination of bodily movement.
• The trace amines:
  • 3-Iodothyronamine - a metabolite of the thyroid hormones, and has been hypothesized to be the primary endogenous ligand for the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1).
  • Tryptamine - a monoamine alkaloid found in trace amounts in the brains of mammals, and believed to play a role as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter.
  • Tyramine - a substance that is found in many common foods, and is associated with increased blood pressure and headaches.
  • As well as others such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), phenethylamine, and octopamine and the meta-substituted positional isomers of octopamine and tyramine.

Physiological importance [edit]

There is a distinction between endogenous and exogenous biogenic amines. Endogenous amines are produced in many different tissues (for example: adrenaline in adrenal medulla or histamine in mast cells and liver). The amines are transmitted locally or via the blood system. The exogenous amines are directly absorbed from food in the intestine. Alcohol can increase the absorption rate. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) breaks down biogenic amines and prevents excessive resorption. MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) are also used as medications for the treatment of depression to prevent MAO from breaking down amines important for positive mood.

See also [edit]

• Monoamine neurotransmitter
• Trace amine

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• The Biogenic Amines - Neuroscience 2nd edition, Dale Purves et al.

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