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Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

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Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
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Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...

Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype

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Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

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Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...

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Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Determining the Serum Stability of Human Adenosine Deaminase 1 Enzyme

Determining the Serum Stability of Human Adenosine Deaminase 1 Enzyme

Published on: September 27, 2024

Renalase, a catecholamine-metabolising enzyme?

F Boomsma¹, K F Tipton

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Vascular Pharmacology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. f.boomsma@erasmusmc.nl

Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)

|March 27, 2007

Summary

Renalase, a kidney-secreted enzyme, may not metabolize catecholamines as previously suggested. Its cardiovascular effects likely stem from mechanisms other than this proposed activity.

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Physiology
Nephrology

Background:

Renalase, a FAD-dependent amine oxidase, is secreted by the kidney into circulation.
It was proposed to have cardiovascular effects via catecholamine metabolism.
This contrasts with prior findings of catecholamine stability in plasma.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the claimed catecholamine-metabolizing activity of renalase.
To investigate the basis of renalase's proposed cardiovascular actions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of hydrogen peroxide generation during renalase and catecholamine incubation.
Quantitative assessment of the rate of H(2)O(2) production.

Main Results:

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A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

Published on: March 1, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Determining the Serum Stability of Human Adenosine Deaminase 1 Enzyme

Determining the Serum Stability of Human Adenosine Deaminase 1 Enzyme

Published on: September 27, 2024

A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

Published on: March 1, 2018

The observed rate of H(2)O(2) generation was insufficient to support enzymatic catecholamine metabolism by renalase.

Calculations indicate the rate is too low for significant enzymatic conversion.

Conclusions:

There is no conclusive evidence that renalase metabolizes catecholamines.
Renalase's cardiovascular functions may be mediated by pathways independent of catecholamine metabolism.