HYDROXYTYRAMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Hydroxytyramine, also referred to as 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine or dopamine, is a naturally occurring compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It belongs to the catecholamine family, which also includes norepinephrine and epinephrine. Hydroxytyramine plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions such as movement, motivation, reward, mood, and cognition.
Chemically, hydroxytyramine is a monoamine compound derived from the amino acid tyrosine through a series of enzymatic reactions. It is primarily synthesized in the adrenal glands, although other tissues such as the brain and enteric nervous system also produce it. Once synthesized, hydroxytyramine acts as a chemical messenger, binding to specific receptors on post-synaptic neurons and triggering various downstream signaling pathways.
The effects of hydroxytyramine are mediated through several different receptor subtypes, including D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 receptors. Activation of these receptors leads to a range of physiological responses, depending on the specific subtype and brain region. For example, dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with reward and motivation, while dopamine release in the nigrostriatal pathway is involved in motor control.
Dysfunction in the hydroxytyramine system has been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, and addiction. Drugs that target the hydroxytyramine system, such as dopamine agonists or antagonists, are commonly used in the treatment of these conditions.
Common Misspellings for HYDROXYTYRAMINE
- gydroxytyramine
- bydroxytyramine
- nydroxytyramine
- jydroxytyramine
- uydroxytyramine
- yydroxytyramine
- htdroxytyramine
- hgdroxytyramine
- hhdroxytyramine
- hudroxytyramine
- h7droxytyramine
- h6droxytyramine
- hysroxytyramine
- hyxroxytyramine
- hycroxytyramine
- hyfroxytyramine
- hyrroxytyramine
- hyeroxytyramine
- hydeoxytyramine
- hyddoxytyramine
Etymology of HYDROXYTYRAMINE
The word "Hydroxytyramine" is a compound of two parts: "hydroxy" and "tyramine".
The term "hydroxy" comes from the chemical suffix "-ol", which refers to an alcohol group (-OH) attached to a molecule. In this case, "hydroxy" indicates the presence of a hydroxyl group in the molecule.
The term "tyramine" is derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is an essential amino acid found in proteins that serves as a precursor for various neurotransmitters and hormones in the body, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Tyramine, in particular, is a derivative of tyrosine.
Therefore, "Hydroxytyramine" refers to a compound that contains a hydroxyl group attached to a tyramine molecule.
