octopamine biosynthetic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of octopamine, 1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-aminoethanol. The D enantiomer is about one-tenth as active as norepinephrine and is found in the salivary glands of Octopus and Eledone species. [ISBN:0198506732]

Octopamine biosynthesis is a critical process in invertebrate neurobiology, leading to the production of the neurotransmitter octopamine. This process begins with the amino acid tyrosine, which is converted to L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). L-DOPA is then decarboxylated by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) to form dopamine. Dopamine is then hydroxylated by dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) to produce octopamine. These enzymatic steps occur in specific neurons and are tightly regulated, ensuring proper octopamine levels for its diverse functions. Octopamine, acting as a neuromodulator in invertebrates, plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including learning, memory, sleep-wake cycles, stress response, and motor control. Its effects are mediated through interaction with specific G protein-coupled receptors, leading to signal transduction cascades that modulate neuronal activity.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (7)