Monoamine

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In biochemistry, monoamines are a group of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators that contain one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH₂-CH₂-). All monoamines are derived from the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, and tryptophan.

The following compounds are generally called monoamines:

• Catecholamines:
  • Dopamine (DA)
  • Norepinephrine (NE) (noradrenaline, NA)
  • Epinephrine (Epi) (adrenaline)
• Serotonin (5-HT)
• Histamine
• Thyronamines, a new group of compounds derived from thyroid hormones
• Trace amines:
  • β-Phenylethylamine (PEA, β-PEA)
  • Tyramine
  • Tryptamine

Specific transporter proteins called monoamine transporters exist that transport monoamines in or out of a cell. These are the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the outer cell membrane and the vesicular monoamine transporters 1 and 2 (VMAT-1 and VMAT-2) in the membrane of intracellular vesicles.Template:Biochem-stub

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