Distribution of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase in the rat heart: effect of 6-hydroxydopamine.
The distribution of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the epinephrine-forming enzyme in the adult rat heart atria and ventricles was studied. The activity of the enzyme in the hearts of adult rats is very low; a significantly higher activity was found in the atria than in the ventricles. A significant increase in PNMT activity was found in all heart areas examined in 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated rats. The increased PNMT activity might reflect compensatory or adaptation processes secondary to the destruction of the peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals.
D000818:Animals; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D016627:Oxidopamine; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D016627:Oxidopamine; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine