Tryptamine (compound)

Structure of a tryptamine molecule
For the chemical class based on the tryptamine structure, see Substituted tryptamine.

Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid found in animals, plants and fungi.[citation needed] It contains an indole ring structure, and is structurally similar to the amino acid tryptophan, from which the name derives. Tryptamine is found in trace amounts in the brains of mammals and is hypothesized to play a role as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter.[1]

Chemistry

The tryptamine molecule is an indole alkaloid comprised of an indole ring attached to a monoamine (single nitrogen group-containing) chain. It is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan.

Pharmacology

Tryptamine is hypothesized to play a role as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter.[1] Similar to other trace amines, tryptamine binds to human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) as an agonist.[2]

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Jones, R. S. G. (January 1982). "Tryptamine: a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter in mammalian brain?". Progress in Neurobiology. 19 (1–2): 117–139. doi:10.1016/0301-0082(82)90023-5. ISSN 0301-0082. 
  2. Khan, M. Z., Nawaz, W. (October 2016). "The emerging roles of human trace amines and human trace amine-associated receptors (hTAARs) in central nervous system". Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie. 83: 439–449. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.07.002. ISSN 1950-6007.