What are amine neurotransmitters?

Biogenic amines can serve as neurotransmitters, released from one nerve to act on another. Amine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and epinephrine are important in many physiological functions including sleep, arousal, reinforcement and regulation of heart rate and blood pressure.

Is adrenaline an amine?

There are five established biogenic amine neurotransmitters: the three catecholamines—dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline)—and histamine and serotonin (see Figure 6.3).

Why is dopamine an amine?

Dopamine constitutes about 80% of the catecholamine content in the brain. It is an amine synthesized by removing a carboxyl group from a molecule of its precursor chemical, L-DOPA, which is synthesized in the brain and kidneys. Dopamine is also synthesized in plants and most animals.

Where are amine neurotransmitters synthesized?

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.

Which is the best definition of vasoactive amine?

va·so·ac·tive a·mine a substance, such as histamine or serotonin, that contains amino groups and is pharmacologically characterized by its action on the blood vessels (altering vascular caliber or permeability).

What makes an amine a biogenic amine?

A biogenic amine is a biogenic substance with one or more amine groups. They are basic nitrogenous compounds formed mainly by decarboxylation of amino acids or by amination and transamination of aldehydes and ketones.

How are aromatic amines different from lipophilic amines?

Small aliphatic amines display significant solubility in many solvents, whereas those with large substituents are lipophilic. Aromatic amines, such as aniline, have their lone pair electrons conjugated into the benzene ring, thus their tendency to engage in hydrogen bonding is diminished.

How is the presence of an amine functional group determined?

Typically the presence of an amine functional group is deduced by a combination of techniques, including mass spectrometry as well as NMR and IR spectroscopies.