Alpha-Methyltyramine

Alpha-Methyltyramine (AMT) is a trace amine and a metabolite of the amino acid phenylalanine. It is structurally related to neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, and has been found in trace amounts in the human brain.

Chemistry

Alpha-Methyltyramine is a monoamine compound, meaning it contains one amino group. It is a derivative of the amino acid phenylalanine, with an additional methyl group attached to the alpha carbon. This structural modification increases the lipophilicity of the molecule, potentially enhancing its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of alpha-methyltyramine begins with the amino acid phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is first converted into tyrosine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Tyrosine is then decarboxylated by the enzyme tyrosine decarboxylase to form tyramine. Finally, tyramine is methylated by the enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) to produce alpha-methyltyramine.

Pharmacology

The pharmacological properties of alpha-methyltyramine are not well understood. However, it is known to act as a substrate for the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), which metabolizes it into p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. This suggests that alpha-methyltyramine may play a role in the regulation of monoamine neurotransmission in the brain.

Research and Potential Applications

Research into the potential applications of alpha-methyltyramine is ongoing. Due to its structural similarity to neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, it has been suggested that alpha-methyltyramine may have potential as a neuroprotective agent or as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential therapeutic uses of this compound.

See Also

• Trace amine
• Phenylalanine
• Tyrosine
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine