Monoamine
Monoamine
Monoamine (/mɒnoʊˈæmiːn/; from Latin mono, "one" + amine) is a type of neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that transmits signals across a chemical synapse, from one neuron (nerve cell) to another "target" neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell. Monoamines are derived from aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and the thyroid hormones by the action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymes.
Etymology
The term "monoamine" is derived from the fact that these substances contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring. The prefix "mono" is from the Greek monos, meaning "single, alone", and "amine" comes from the Arabic al-nāmiyūn, meaning "sleep-inducing".
Types of Monoamines
Monoamines can be divided into tyramine, phenethylamine, and the catecholamines: dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline). Other examples of monoamines include serotonin, histamine, and melatonin.
Function
Monoamines are involved in regulating mood, attention, focus, and bodily processes such as heart rate and body temperature. They are also involved in the reward system of the brain, and imbalances in monoamines are linked to various diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and hypertension.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Monoamine
- Wikipedia's article - Monoamine
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