Extraadrenal adrenaline formation by two separate enzymes.
Adrenaline (A) is synthesized in the adrenal medullae by the enzyme phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT). After surgical removal of the adrenal medullae tissue A levels ranged from 22% of control in the heart to 125% of control in the liver. Use of a novel assay to measure tissue A formation revealed that many tissues can synthesize A using PNMT and another enzyme that N-methylates both noradrenaline and dopamine. These enzymes are non-neuronal, inducible and synthesize a major fraction of tissue and urine A.
Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Medical Center 92103.
M G
MG
Ziegler
B
B
Kennedy
H
H
Elayan
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006729:Hormones, Ectopic / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D006729:Hormones, Ectopic; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D003846:Deoxyepinephrine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine