Recent Studies on the Centrally Active Endogenous Amines

Abstract

The past jive years have witnessed significarit progress in our knowledge of the metabolism and inipvrtanc? of endogenous, peripherally and centrally active arrrines. Most of the modern drugs which influence human mood, emotion, or temperament do so by their direct or indirect effect on the biosynthesis, metabolism, storage, or re1m.w of endogenous amines in the brain. The relationships discovered in this connection have tJr.epenc.d our understanding of the biochemical busis of acute, chronic, and hereditary mental disorders. The beginnings of a new science "psychochemistry" are discernible at this point.

Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Hydroxyphenylacetic Acids in Higher Plants

“…The reaction sequence via 2-hydroxyphenylalanine or the corresponding amine seems to function in animals only. A detailed mechanism was proposed for the conversion of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid to homogentisic acid [23]. Recent studies on the hydroxylation of aromatic compounds [24,25] Q:2-co-cooH which may undergo hydroxylation induced migration followed by oxidative decarboxylation of the side chain.…”

The Basic Constituents of Toad Venoms

“…In Italy, Erspamer and co-workers studied the substance responsible for the typical histochemical properties of the enterochromaffm cells, initially of the gastrointestinal mucosa and later of many other organs. In America, Rapport and Page were investigating the principle responsible for the vasoconstrictor properties of serum (for reviews on 5-hydroxytryptamine and related bases, see Erspamer 1954Erspamer , 1961Erspamer 1966;Page, 1954Page, , 1958Daly and Witkop, 1963;Lewis, 1964).…”

“…A considerable amount of work has been done on the biosynthesis and metabolism of the catecholamines in higher animals (for reviews see Axelrod, 1959;Daly and Witkop, 1963;Weiner, 1964).…”

Oxidative Fragmentation of 9-Aminomethylacridan

“…There are several known biotransformations involving fragmentation of amines, two examples being the biosynthesis of gramine (IX) from tryptophan (VIII) (11) and that of p-hydroxybenzylamine (XI) from tyrosine (X) (12) (Scheme V ) . It has been suggested that these biosyntheses involve fragmentation of pyridoxylidene intermediates which are structurally similar to V l .…”