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Phenylalanine (symbol Phe or F) [3] is an essential α-amino acid with the formula C 9 H 11 NO 2.It can be viewed as a benzyl group substituted for the methyl group of alanine, or a phenyl group in place of a terminal hydrogen of alanine.
In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and inhibiting vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in monoamine neurons. [1] [11] [12] To a lesser extent, it also acts as a neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system. [13]
A phylogenetic tree showing how a number of monoamine receptors are related to each other. Monoamine neurotransmitter systems occur in virtually all vertebrates, where the evolvability of these systems has served to promote the adaptability of vertebrate species to different environments.
The amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine are precursors for catecholamines. Both amino acids are found in high concentrations in blood plasma and the brain. In mammals, tyrosine can be formed from dietary phenylalanine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, found in large amounts in the liver.
Phenylalanine is a large, neutral amino acid (LNAA). LNAAs compete for transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) via the large neutral amino acid transporter (LNAAT). If phenylalanine is in excess in the blood, it will saturate the transporter. Excessive levels of phenylalanine tend to decrease the levels of other LNAAs in the brain.
Activity at an axon terminal: Neuron A is transmitting a signal at the axon terminal to neuron B (receiving). Features: 1. Mitochondrion.2. synaptic vesicle with neurotransmitters.
α-Methylphenylalanine (α-MePhe or AMPA) is an artificial amino acid and a phenethylamine and amphetamine derivative. [1] It is the α-methylated analogue of phenylalanine, the precursor of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, and the amino acid analogue of amphetamine (α-methylphenethylamine), a psychostimulant and monoamine releasing agent.
Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) (EC 1.14.16.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of the aromatic side-chain of phenylalanine to generate tyrosine.PAH is one of three members of the biopterin-dependent aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, a class of monooxygenase that uses tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4, a pteridine cofactor) and a non-heme iron for catalysis.