The trace amines and their acidic metabolites in depression--an overview

TAARs as Novel Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Depression: A Narrative Review of the Interconnection with Monoamines and Adult Neurogenesis

Depression is a common mental illness of great concern. Current therapy for depression is only suitable for 80% of patients and is often associated with unwanted side effects. In this regard, the search for and development of new antidepressant agents remains an urgent task. In this review, we discuss the current available evidence indicating that G protein-coupled trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) might represent new targets for depression treatment. The most frequently studied receptor TAAR1 has already been investigated in the treatment of schizophrenia, demonstrating antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. In fact, the TAAR1 agonist Ulotaront is currently undergoing phase 2/3 clinical trials testing its safety and efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Other members of the TAAR family (TAAR2, TAAR5, TAAR6, TAAR8, and TAAR9) are not only involved in the innate olfaction of volatile amines, but are also expressed in the limbic brain areas. Furthermore, animal studies have shown that TAAR2 and TAAR5 regulate emotional behaviors and thus may hold promise as potential antidepressant targets. Of particular interest is their connection with the dopamine and serotonin systems of the brain and their involvement in the regulation of adult neurogenesis, known to be affected by the antidepressant drugs currently in use. Further non-clinical and clinical studies are necessary to validate TAAR1 (and potentially other TAARs) as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of depression.

TAAR1 as an emerging target for the treatment of psychiatric disorders

Trace amines, a group of amines expressed at the nanomolar level in the mammalian brain, can modulate monoamine transmission. The discovery of and the functional research on the trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), especially the most well-characterized TAAR1, have largely facilitated our understanding of the function of the trace amine system in the brain. TAAR1 is expressed in the mammalian brain at a low level and widely distributed in the monoaminergic system, including the ventral tegmental area and substantial nigra, where the dopamine neurons reside in the mammalian brain. Growing in vitro and in vivo evidence has demonstrated that TAAR1 could negatively modulate monoamine transmission and play a crucial role in many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, substance use disorders, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. Notably, in the last two decades, many studies have repeatedly confirmed the pharmacological effects of the selective TAAR1 ligands in various preclinical models of psychiatric disorders. Recent clinical trials of the dual TAAR1 and serotonin receptor agonist ulotaront also revealed a potential efficacy for treating schizophrenia. Here, we review the current understanding of the TAAR1 system and the recent advances in the elucidation of behavioral and physiological properties of TAAR1 agonists evaluated both in preclinical animal models and clinical trials. We also discuss the potential TAAR1-dependent signaling pathways and the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of TAAR1 activation on drug addiction. We conclude that TAAR1 is an emerging target for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Effects of iodoacetic acid drinking water disinfection byproduct on the gut microbiota and its metabolism in rats

Iodoacetic acid (IAA) is an unregulated disinfection byproduct in drinking water and has been shown to exert cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, tumorigenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. However, the effects of IAA on gut microbiota and its metabolism are still unknown, especially the association between gut microbiota and the metabolism and toxicity of IAA. In this study, female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to IAA at 0 and 16 mg/kg bw/day daily for 8 weeks by oral gavage. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that IAA could alter the diversity, relative abundance and function of gut microbiota in female and male rats. IAA also increased the abundance of genes related to steroid hormone biosynthesis in the gut microbiota of male rats. Moreover, metabolomics profiling revealed that IAA could significantly disturb 6 and 13 metabolites in the feces of female and male rats, respectively. In female rats, the level of androstanediol increased in the IAA treatment group. These results were consistent with our previous findings, where IAA was identified as an androgen disruptor. Additionally, the perturbed gut microbiota and altered metabolites were correlated with each other. The results of this study indicated that IAA could disturb gut microbiota and its metabolism. These changes in gut microbiota and its metabolism were associated with the reproductive and developmental toxicity of IAA.

Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 Contributes to Diverse Functional Actions of O-Phenyl-Iodotyramine in Mice but Not to the Effects of Monoamine-Based Antidepressants

Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a potential target for the treatment of depression and other CNS disorders. However, the precise functional roles of TAAR1 to the actions of clinically used antidepressants remains unclear. Herein, we addressed these issues employing the TAAR1 agonist, o-phenyl-iodotyramine (o-PIT), together with TAAR1-knockout (KO) mice. Irrespective of genotype, systemic administration of o-PIT led to a similar increase in mouse brain concentrations. Consistent with the observation of a high density of TAAR1 in the medial preoptic area, o-PIT-induced hypothermia was significantly reduced in TAAR1-KO mice. Furthermore, the inhibition of a prepulse inhibition response by o-PIT, as well as its induction of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation and elevation of extracellular DA in prefrontal cortex, were all reduced in TAAR1-KO compared to wildtype mice. O-PIT was active in both forced-swim and marble-burying tests, and its effects were significantly blunted in TAAR1-KO mice. Conversely, the actions on behaviour and prefrontal cortex dialysis of a broad suite of clinically used antidepressants were unaffected in TAAR1-KO mice. In conclusion, o-PIT is a useful tool for exploring the hypothermic and other functional antidepressant roles of TAAR1. By contrast, clinically used antidepressants do not require TAAR1 for expression of their antidepressant properties.

TAAR6variation effect on clinic presentation and outcome in a sample of schizophrenic in-patients: An open label study

We recently reported an association betweenTAAR6(trace amine associated receptor 6 gene) variations and schizophrenia (SZ). We now report an association of a set ofTAAR6variations and clinical presentation and outcome in a sample of 240 SZ Korean patients. Patients were selected by a Structured Clinical Interview, DSM-IV Axis I disorders – Clinical Version (SCID-CV). Other psychiatric or neurologic disorders, as well as medical diseases, were exclusion criteria. To assess symptom severity, patients were administered the CGI scale and the PANSS at baseline and at the moment of discharge, 1 month later on average.TAAR6variations rs6903874, rs7452939, rs8192625 and rs4305745 were investigated; rs6903874, rs7452939 and rs8192625 entered the statistical investigation after LD analysis. Rs8192625 G/G homozygosis was found to be significantly associated both with a worse clinical presentation at PANSS total and positive scores and with a shorter period of illness before hospitalization. No haplotype significant findings were found. The present study stands for a role of theTAAR6in the clinical presentation of SZ. Moreover, our results show that this genetic effect may be counteracted by a correct treatment. Haplotype analysis was not informative in our sample, probably also because of the incomplete SNPs' coverage of the gene we performed. Further studies in this direction are warranted.

Striatal Tyrosine Hydroxylase Is Stimulated via TAAR1 by 3-Iodothyronamine, But Not by Tyramine or β-Phenylethylamine

The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is expressed by dopaminergic neurons, but the precise influence of trace amines upon their functional activity remains to be fully characterized. Here, we examined the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine (β-PEA) compared to 3-iodothyronamine (T₁AM). Immunoblotting and amperometry were performed in dorsal striatal slices from wild-type (WT) and TAAR1 knockout (KO) mice. T₁AM increased TH phosphorylation at both Ser¹⁹ and Ser⁴⁰, actions that should promote functional activity of TH. Indeed, HPLC data revealed higher rates of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) accumulation in WT animals treated with T₁AM after the administration of a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor. These effects were abolished both in TAAR1 KO mice and by the TAAR1 antagonist, EPPTB. Further, they were specific inasmuch as Ser⁸⁴⁵ phosphorylation of the post-synaptic GluA1 AMPAR subunit was unaffected. The effects of T₁AM on TH phosphorylation at both Ser¹⁹ (CamKII-targeted), and Ser⁴⁰ (PKA-phosphorylated) were inhibited by KN-92 and H-89, inhibitors of CamKII and PKA respectively. Conversely, there was no effect of an EPAC analog, 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP, on TH phosphorylation. In line with these data, T₁AM increased evoked striatal dopamine release in TAAR1 WT mice, an action blunted in TAAR1 KO mice and by EPPTB. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed no endogenous T₁AM in the brain, but detected T₁AM in several brain areas upon systemic administration in both WT and TAAR1 KO mice. In contrast to T₁AM, tyramine decreased the phosphorylation of Ser⁴⁰-TH, while increasing Ser⁸⁴⁵-GluA1 phosphorylation, actions that were not blocked in TAAR1 KO mice. Likewise, β-PEA reduced Ser⁴⁰-TH and tended to promote Ser⁸⁴⁵-GluA1 phosphorylation. The D₁ receptor antagonist SCH23390 blocked tyramine-induced Ser⁸⁴⁵-GluA1 phosphorylation, but had no effect on tyramine- or β-PEA-induced Ser⁴⁰-TH phosphorylation. In conclusion, by intracellular cascades involving CaMKII and PKA, T₁AM, but not tyramine and β-PEA, acts via TAAR1 to promote the phosphorylation and functional activity of TH in the dorsal striatum, supporting a modulatory influence on dopamine transmission.

Association between TAAR6 polymorphisms and airway responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND

Genetic polymorphisms may be responsible for the wide variation in response to inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatic patients. We had previously reported that one polymorphism rs7772821, located on the 3'-UTR of trace amine-associated receptor 6 (TAAR6), is significantly associated with percentile changes in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%ΔFEV1) after inhaled corticosteroid treatment in asthmatics using a genome-wide association study. The aim of the present study was to validate the association between 15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the TAAR6 and airway responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids in the asthmatics.

METHODS

The %ΔFEV1 induced by 4 weeks' treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate (1000 μg daily) was measured in 246 asthmatics. The 15 SNPs of TAAR6 were genotyped using a TaqMan assay. An association analysis between %ΔFEV1 and TAAR6 polymorphisms was carried out using a linear regression model controlling for age, sex, smoking status, presence of atopy, and baseline FEV1 as covariates.

RESULTS

Among the 15 SNPs and seven haplotypes of TAAR6, rs7772821 (T>G) on the 3'-UTR showed the strongest correlation with inhaled corticosteroid-induced %ΔFEV1 (Pcorr=0.002 in the codominant model, Pcorr=0.03 in the dominant model, Pcorr=0.01 in the recessive model). The %ΔFEV1 of the rs7772821T>G minor homozygotes (60.77%) was higher than that of patients harboring either the rs7772821 T/G or T/T genotypes (21.32 and 31.60%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The TAAR6 rs7772821 polymorphism may be one of the important genetic factors for predicting the response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatics.

Plasma Biomarkers for Monitoring Brain Pathophysiology in FMR1 Premutation Carriers

Premutation carriers have a 55–200 CGG expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Currently, 1.5 million individuals are affected in the United States, and carriers are at risk of developing the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Limited efforts have been made to develop new methods for improved early patient monitoring, treatment response, and disease progression. To this end, plasma metabolomic phenotyping was obtained for 23 premutation carriers and 16 age- and sex-matched controls. Three biomarkers, phenylethylamine normalized by either aconitate or isocitrate and oleamide normalized by isocitrate, exhibited excellent model performance. The lower phenylethylamine and oleamide plasma levels in carriers may indicate, respectively, incipient nigrostriatal degeneration and higher incidence of substance abuse, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Higher levels of citrate, isocitrate, aconitate, and lactate may reflect deficits in both bioenergetics and neurotransmitter metabolism (Glu, GABA). This study lays important groundwork by defining the potential utility of plasma metabolic profiling to monitor brain pathophysiology in carriers before and during the progression of FXTAS, treatment efficacy and evaluation of side effects.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 partial agonism reveals novel paradigm for neuropsychiatric therapeutics

BACKGROUND

Trace amines, compounds structurally related to classical biogenic amines, represent endogenous ligands of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). Because trace amines also influence the activity of other targets, selective ligands are needed for the elucidation of TAAR1 function. Here we report on the identification and characterization of the first selective and potent TAAR1 partial agonist.

METHODS

The TAAR1 partial agonist RO5203648 was evaluated for its binding affinity and functional activity at rodent and primate TAAR1 receptors stably expressed in HEK293 cells, for its physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, for its effects on the firing frequency of monoaminergic neurons ex vivo, and for its properties in vivo with genetic and pharmacological models of central nervous system disorders.

RESULTS

RO5203648 showed high affinity and potency at TAAR1, high selectivity versus other targets, and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In mouse brain slices, RO5203648 increased the firing frequency of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and the dorsal raphe nucleus, respectively. In various behavioral paradigms in rodents and monkeys, RO5203648 demonstrated clear antipsychotic- and antidepressant-like activities as well as potential anxiolytic-like properties. Furthermore, it attenuated drug-taking behavior and was highly effective in promoting attention, cognitive performance, and wakefulness.

CONCLUSIONS

With the first potent and selective TAAR1 partial agonist, RO5203648, we show that TAAR1 is implicated in a broad range of relevant physiological, behavioral, and cognitive neuropsychiatric dimensions. Collectively, these data uncover important neuromodulatory roles for TAAR1 and suggest that agonists at this receptor might have therapeutic potential in one or more neuropsychiatric domains.

Evaluation of antidepressant activity of 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-YL)-cyclohexanol, a β-substituted phenylethylamine in mice

The β-phenylethylamines are known to act as ligands for the trace amine receptors, a novel family of G-protein-coupled receptors. The trace amines are stored and released along with various neurotransmitter agents such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine and thus work as neuromodulator or neurotransmitter agents. Trace amines are known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of major depression. In our earlier study, we have demonstrated the synthesis of various β-substituted phenylethylamine molecules hypothesized to be effective in various central nervous system disorders. The present study is an attempt to evaluate one of such molecules, 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-yl)-cyclohexanol, in animal models of depression. Various behavioral paradigms of despair such as forced swim and tail-suspension tests were used to assess the antidepressant-like activity. Further, an alteration in the levels of various neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine) in the mouse brain following 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-yl)-cyclohexanol administration was evaluated. The molecule (4-16 mg/kg., i.p.) dose-dependently inhibited the immobility period in mouse forced swim test, the effect comparable to venlafaxine. The ED50 values of 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-yl)-cyclohexanol and venlafaxine in mouse forced swim test were found to be 5.27 [4.38-6.35] mg/kg., i.p and 4.66 [3.48-6.25] mg/kg., i.p., respectively. Further, 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-yl)-cyclohexanol at 4-16 mg/kg., i.p. reversed the immobility period in mouse tail-suspension test. Additionally, the molecule at 8 mg/kg., i.p. reversed reserpine-induced behavioral despair in mouse forced swim test. When administered simultaneously, it (4 and 8 mg/kg., i.p) enhanced the antidepressant activity of sub-effective doses of imipramine (2mg/kg., i.p.) or fluoxetine (2mg/kg., i.p.) in the mouse forced swim test. Neurochemical analysis revealed that the molecule at 8 mg/kg., i.p. increased the levels of norepinephrine (21% increase) without affecting serotonin in the mouse brain. However, at higher dose (16 mg/kg., i.p.), it increased the levels of norepinephrine (13% increase), serotonin (37% increase), and dopamine (42% increase). The molecule enhanced the locomotor activity in mice only at higher doses. The molecule, unlike venlafaxine, which potentiated barbiturate-induced hypnosis, was devoid of any sedative activity. In conclusion, 1-(7-methoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-4-yl)-cyclohexanol, possess antidepressant-like activity in animal models of depression by modulating the neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Such an activity might be due to the modulating action of this novel molecule on trace amine receptors. Such a molecule may be the future drugs of choice for the treatment of major depression.

Functional interaction between trace amine-associated receptor 1 and dopamine D2 receptor

The ability of dopamine receptors to interact with other receptor subtypes may provide mechanisms for modulating dopamine-related functions and behaviors. In particular, there is evidence suggesting that the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) affects the dopaminergic system by regulating the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons or by altering dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) responsiveness to ligands. TAAR1 is a Gα(s) protein-coupled receptor that is activated by biogenic amines, "trace amines," such as β-phenylethylamine (β-PEA) and tyramine that are normally found at low concentrations in the mammalian brain. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical mechanism of interaction between TAAR1 and D2R and the role this interaction plays in D2R-related signaling and behaviors. Using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer biosensor for cAMP, we demonstrated that the D2R antagonists haloperidol, raclopride, and amisulpride were able to enhance selectively a TAAR1-mediated β-PEA increase of cAMP. Moreover, TAAR1 and D2R were able to form heterodimers when coexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, and this direct interaction was disrupted in the presence of haloperidol. In addition, in mice lacking TAAR1, haloperidol-induced striatal c-Fos expression and catalepsy were significantly reduced. Taken together, these data suggest that TAAR1 and D2R have functional and physical interactions that could be critical for the modulation of the dopaminergic system by TAAR1 in vivo.

Theobromine and the pharmacology of cocoa

The effects of theobromine in man are underresearched, possibly owing to the assumption that it is behaviourally inert. Toxicology research in animals may appear to provide alarming results, but these cannot be extrapolated to humans for a number of reasons. Domestic animals and animals used for racing competitions need to be guarded from chocolate and cocoa-containing foods, including foods containing cocoa husks. Research ought to include caffeine as a comparative agent, and underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. Of all constituents proposed to play a role in our liking for chocolate, caffeine is the most convincing, though a role for theobromine cannot be ruled out. Most other substances are unlikely to exude a psychopharmacological effect owing to extremely low concentrations or the inability to reach the blood-brain barrier, whilst chocolate craving and addiction need to be explained by means of a culturally determined ambivalence towards chocolate.

Trace amines depress D(2)-autoreceptor-mediated responses on midbrain dopaminergic cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although trace amines (TAs) are historically considered 'false neurotransmitters' on the basis of their ability to induce catecholamine release, there is evidence that they directly affect neuronal activity via TA receptors, ligand-gated receptor channels and/or sigma receptors. Here, we have investigated the effects of two TAs, tyramine (TYR) and beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA), on electrophysiological responses of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic cells to the D(2) receptor agonist, quinpirole.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Electrophysiological recordings of D(2) receptor-activated G-protein-gated inward rectifier K(+) channel (GIRK) currents were performed on dopaminergic cells from midbrain slices of mice and on Xenopus oocytes expressing D(2) receptors and GIRK channels.

KEY RESULTS

TYR and beta-PEA reversibly reduced D(2) receptor-activated GIRK currents in a concentration-dependent manner on SNpc neurones. The inhibitory effect of TAs was still present in transgenic mice with genetically deleted TA(1) receptors and they could not be reproduced by the selective TA(1) agonist, o-phenyl-3-iodotyramine (O-PIT). Pretreatment with antagonists of sigma1 and sigma2 receptors did not block TA-induced effects. In GTPgammaS-loaded neurones, the irreversibly-activated GIRK-current was still reversibly reduced by beta-PEA. Moreover, beta-PEA did not affect basal or dopamine-evoked GIRK-currents in Xenopus oocytes.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

TAs reduced dopamine-induced responses on SNpc neurones by acting at sites different from TA(1), sigma-receptors, D(2) receptors or GIRK channels. Although their precise mechanism of action remains to be identified, TAs, by antagonizing the inhibitory effects of dopamine, may render dopaminergic neurones less sensitive to autoreceptor feedback inhibition and hence enhance their sensitivity to stimulation.

Investigation of an epistastic effect between a set of TAAR6 and HSP-70 genes variations and major mood disorders

Epistasis, the interaction between genes, is a topic of current interest in molecular and quantitative genetics. We have further studied a previously investigated sample of 187 major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, 171 bipolar disorder (BD) patients, and 288 controls, and tried to analyze the interaction between a set of variations of independent genes: the trace amine receptor 6 (rs4305745, rs8192625, rs7452939, rs6903874, and rs6937506) and the heat shock protein 70 (rs562047, rs1061581, rs2227956). The multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method was applied and the covariates associated with diagnosis were also controlled. A significant predictive value of specific interactions between genotypes located in the investigated genes was found. We then report preliminary evidence that the epistasis between trace amine receptor 6 and heat shock protein 70 variations may compose a risk profile for major mood disorders. The level of statistical significance (P < 0.001) and the testing balancing accuracy over 0.62 suggest a cautious optimism toward this result, although the possibility of false positivity warrants further analyses in independent samples.

Epistasis between a set of variations located in the TAAR6 and HSP-70 genes toward schizophrenia and response to antipsychotic treatment

Suggestive associations have been reported between trace amines and heat shock proteins, and a disrupted pathophysiology that enhances the risk of psychosis and that modifies responses to antipsychotic treatments. Our group previously reported genetic studies on TAAR6 and HSP-70 separately in patients with schizophrenia. In the current study, we investigated possible epistasis between the same set of variations in a sample of 281 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 288 healthy controls. We applied the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method and controlled covariates significantly associated with both diagnosis and treatment efficacy. To the best of our knowledge, epistasis between the present set of variations in schizophrenia has not been tested before. We found significant associations with both the risk of disease and response to treatment. However, the insufficiently balanced accuracy of the applied tests suggests that, despite significantly different genetic variations between cases and controls, these factors have a poor predictive value. Explanations for these findings and possible future directions are also discussed.

Influence of TAAR6 polymorphisms on response to aripiprazole

BACKGROUND

There is some evidence suggesting a role of TAAR6 in schizophrenia. The aim of the present study is to investigate possible influences of a panel of markers in TAAR6 (rs8192625, rs4305745, rs4305746, rs6903874, rs6937506) on clinical outcomes and side effects in a sample of Korean schizophrenic aripiprazole treated patients.

METHODS

Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 using CGI-S, CGI-I, BPRS and SANS. Side effects were evaluated through SAS, BAS and AIMS. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to test possible influences of single SNPs on clinical and safety scores. Tests for associations using multi-marker haplotypes were performed using the statistics environment "R".

RESULTS

A significant time per genotype interaction was found between rs4305746 in repeated measures of ANOVA on BPRS scores (F=2.45, df=10,365, p=0.008). In particular G/A and A/A genotype patients were more likely to improve over time as compared to carriers of the G/G genotype. Permutation analysis confirmed a significant effect of rs4305746 on course of BPRS scores over time (p=0.007). Haplotype analysis did not reveal any significant association with clinical and safety scores at any time.

CONCLUSION

A possible association could exist between some genotypes in TAAR6 and response to aripiprazole. However, several limitations characterize the present work, such as small sample size, the finding related to a single scale and the possibility of false positive findings, thus further investigation is required.

Beta-phenylethylamine alters monoamine transporter function via trace amine-associated receptor 1: implication for modulatory roles of trace amines in brain

Brain monoamines include common biogenic amines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) and trace amines [beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA), tyramine, tryptamine, and octopamine]. Common biogenic amines are well established as neurotransmitters, but the roles and functional importance of trace amines remain elusive. Here, we re-evaluated the interaction of trace amines with trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) and investigated effects of beta-PEA on monoamine transporter function and influence of monoamine autoreceptors on TAAR1 signaling. We confirmed that TAAR1 was activated by trace amines and demonstrated that TAAR1 activation by beta-PEA significantly inhibited uptake and induced efflux of [3H]dopamine, [3H]norepinephrine, and [3H]serotonin in transfected cells. In brain synaptosomes, beta-PEA significantly inhibited uptake and induced efflux of [3H]dopamine and [3H]serotonin in striatal and [3H]norepinephrine in thalamic synaptosomes of rhesus monkeys and wild-type mice, but it lacked the same effects in synaptosomes of TAAR1 knockout mice. The effect of beta-PEA on efflux was blocked by transporter inhibitors in either the transfected cells or wild-type mouse synaptosomes. We also demonstrated that TAAR1 signaling was not affected by monoamine autoreceptors at exposure to trace amines that we show to have poor binding affinity for the autoreceptors relative to common biogenic amines. These results reveal that beta-PEA alters monoamine transporter function via interacting with TAAR1 but not monoamine autoreceptors. The functional profile of beta-PEA may reveal a common mechanism by which trace amines exert modulatory effects on monoamine transporters in brain.

Tyramine and octopamine independently inhibit serotonin-stimulated aversive behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans through two novel amine receptors

Biogenic amines modulate key behaviors in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In Caenorhabditis elegans, tyramine (TA) and octopamine (OA) inhibit aversive responses to 100%, but not dilute (30%) octanol. TA and OA also abolish food- and serotonin-dependent increases in responses to dilute octanol in wild-type but not tyra-3(ok325) and f14d12.6(ok371) null animals, respectively, suggesting that TA and OA modulated responses to dilute octanol are mediated by separate, previously uncharacterized, G-protein-coupled receptors. TA and OA are high-affinity ligands for TYRA-3 and F14D12.6, respectively, based on their pharmacological characterization after heterologous expression. f14d12.6::gfp is expressed in the ASHs, the neurons responsible for sensitivity to dilute octanol, and the sra-6-dependent expression of F14D12.6 in the ASHs is sufficient to rescue OA sensitivity in f14d12.6(ok371) null animals. In contrast, tyra-3::gfp appears not to be expressed in the ASHs, but instead in other neurons, including the dopaminergic CEP/ADEs. However, although dopamine (DA) also inhibits 5-HT-dependent responses to dilute octanol, TA still inhibits in dop-2; dop-1; dop-3 animals that do not respond to DA and cat-2(tm346) and Pdat-1::ICE animals that lack significant dopaminergic signaling, suggesting that DA is not an intermediate in TA inhibition. Finally, responses to TA and OA selectively desensitize after preexposure to the amines. Our data suggest that although tyraminergic and octopaminergic signaling yield identical phenotypes in these olfactory assays, they act independently through distinct receptors to modulate the ASH-mediated locomotory circuit and that C. elegans is a useful model to study the aminergic modulation of sensory-mediated locomotory behaviors.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1-Family archetype or iconoclast?

Interest has recently been rekindled in receptors that are activated by low molecular weight, noncatecholic, biogenic amines that are typically found as trace constituents of various vertebrate and invertebrate tissues and fluids. The timing of this resurgent focus on receptors activated by the "trace amines" (TA) beta-phenylethylamine (PEA), tyramine (TYR), octopamine (OCT), synephrine (SYN), and tryptamine (TRYP) is the direct result of 2 publications that appeared in 2001 describing the cloning of a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) referred to by their discoverers Borowsky et al. as TA1 and Bunzow et al. as TA receptor 1 (TAR1). When heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and various eukaryotic cell lines, recombinant rodent and human TAR dose-dependently couple to the stimulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production. Structure-activity profiling based on this functional response has revealed that in addition to the TA, other biologically active compounds containing a 2-carbon aliphatic side chain linking an amino group to at least 1 benzene ring are potent and efficacious TA receptor agonists with amphetamine (AMPH), methamphetamine, 3-iodothyronamine, thyronamine, and dopamine (DA) among the most notable. Almost 100 years after the search for TAR began, numerous TA1/TAR1-related sequences, now called TA-associated receptors (TAAR), have been identified in the genome of every species of vertebrate examined to date. Consequently, even though heterologously expressed TAAR1 fits the pharmacological criteria established for a bona fide TAR, a major challenge for those working in the field is to discern the in vivo pharmacology and physiology of each purported member of this extended family of GPCR. Only then will it be possible to establish whether TAAR1 is the family archetype or an iconoclast.

A region of 35 kb containing the trace amine associate receptor 6 (TAAR6) gene is associated with schizophrenia in the Irish study of high-density schizophrenia families

The TAAR6 gene has been previously associated with schizophrenia in 192 pedigrees of European and African ancestry. To replicate these findings we performed an association study of TAAR6 in 265 pedigrees of the Irish Study of High-Density Schizophrenia Families (ISHDSF). Of the 24 genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms only rs12189813 and rs9389011 provided single-marker evidence for association (0.0094<or=P<or=0.03). Two-marker haplotypes (rs7772821 and rs12189813; 0.0071<or=P<or=0.0023) and four-marker haplotypes (rs8192622, rs7772821, rs12189813 and rs9389011; 0.0047<or=P<or=0.018) gave strongest evidence for association. The associated high-risk (HR) haplotype in the ISHDSF is defined by the major alleles at rs7772821 and rs12189813 (0.00097<or=P<or=0.023). The associated HR remains positive in a case only test of association by Operational Criteria score analysis in which significant association was observed only with the highest threshold for delusions (P<0.009). When analysis was restricted to affected individuals under the core schizophrenia (D2) diagnosis, the observed associations for HR were most significant in the highest threshold for delusions (P<0.004) and hallucinations (P<0.0004), supporting the family-based association with schizophrenia.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 displays species-dependent stereoselectivity for isomers of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and para-hydroxyamphetamine

The synthetic amines methamphetamine (METH), amphetamine (AMPH), and their metabolite para-hydroxyamphetamine (POHA) are chemically and structurally related to the catecholamine neurotransmitters and a small group of endogenous biogenic amines collectively referred to as the trace amines (TAs). Recently, it was reported that METH, AMPH, POHA, and the TAs para-tyramine (TYR) and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) stimulate cAMP production in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells expressing rat trace amine-associated receptor 1 (rTAAR1). The discovery that METH and AMPH activate the rTAAR1 motivated us to study the effect of these drugs on the mouse TAAR1 (mTAAR1) and a human-rat chimera (hrChTAAR1). Furthermore, because S-(+)-isomers of METH and AMPH are reported to be more potent and efficacious in vivo than R-(-), we determined the enantiomeric selectivity of all three species of TAAR1. In response to METH, AMPH, or POHA exposure, the accumulation of cAMP by HEK-293 cells stably expressing different species of TAAR1 was concentration- and isomer-dependent. EC50 values for S-(+)-METH were 0.89, 0.92, and 4.44 microM for rTAAR1, mTAAR1, and h-rChTAAR1, respectively. PEA was a potent and full agonist at each species of TAAR1, whereas TYR was a full agonist for the rodent TAAR1s but was a partial agonist at h-rChTAAR1. Interestingly, both isomers of METH were full agonists at mTAAR1 and h-rChTAAR1, whereas both were partial agonists at rTAAR1. Taken together, these in vitro results suggest that, in vivo, TAAR1 could be a novel mediator of the effects of these drugs.

Trace amine-associated receptors and their ligands

Classical biogenic amines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and histamine) interact with specific families of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The term 'trace amines' is used when referring to p-tyramine, beta-phenylethylamine, tryptamine and octopamine, compounds that are present in mammalian tissues at very low (nanomolar) concentrations. The pharmacological effects of trace amines are usually attributed to their interference with the aminergic pathways, but in 2001 a new gene was identified, that codes for a GPCR responding to p-tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine but not to classical biogenic amines. Several closely related genes were subsequently identified and designated as the trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs). Pharmacological investigations in vitro show that many TAAR subtypes may not respond to p-tyramine, beta-phenylethylamine, tryptamine or octopamine, suggesting the existence of additional endogenous ligands. A novel endogenous thyroid hormone derivative, 3-iodothyronamine, has been found to interact with TAAR1 and possibly other TAAR subtypes. In vivo, micromolar concentrations of 3-iodothyronamine determine functional effects which are opposite to those produced on a longer time scale by thyroid hormones, including reduction in body temperature and decrease in cardiac contractility. Expression of all TAAR subtypes except TAAR1 has been reported in mouse olfactory epithelium, and several volatile amines were shown to interact with specific TAAR subtypes. In addition, there is evidence that TAAR1 is targeted by amphetamines and other psychotropic agents, while genetic linkage studies show a significant association between the TAAR gene family locus and susceptibility to schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder.

The mysterious trace amines: protean neuromodulators of synaptic transmission in mammalian brain

The trace amines are a structurally related group of amines and their isomers synthesized in mammalian brain and peripheral nervous tissues. They are closely associated metabolically with the dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin neurotransmitter systems in mammalian brain. Like dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin the trace amines have been implicated in a vast array of human disorders of affect and cognition. The trace amines are unique as they are present in trace concentrations, exhibit high rates of metabolism and are distributed heterogeneously in mammalian brain. While some are synthesized in their parent amine neurotransmitter systems, there is also evidence to suggest other trace amines may comprise their own independent neurotransmitter systems. A substantial body of evidence suggests that the trace amines may play very significant roles in the coordination of biogenic amine-based synaptic physiology. At high concentrations, they have well-characterized presynaptic "amphetamine-like" effects on catecholamine and indolamine release, reuptake and biosynthesis; at lower concentrations, they possess postsynaptic modulatory effects that potentiate the activity of other neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and serotonin. The trace amines also possess electrophysiological effects that are in opposition to these neurotransmitters, indicating to some researchers the existence of receptors specific for the trace amines. While binding sites or receptors for a few of the trace amines have been advanced, the absence of cloned receptor protein has impeded significant development of their detailed mechanistic roles in the coordination of catecholamine and indolamine synaptic physiology. The recent discovery and characterization of a family of mammalian G protein-coupled receptors responsive to trace amines such as beta-phenylethylamine, tyramine, and octopamine, including socially ingested psychotropic drugs such as amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide, have revitalized the field of scientific studies investigating trace amine synaptic physiology, and its association with major human disorders of affect and cognition.

Tranylcypromine: new perspectives on an "old" drug

The irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, tranylcypromine, is a potent antidepressant, but its use is limited to special indications due to side effects and dietary restrictions. The antidepressant action of tranylcypromine is not completely explainable by its effects on monoamine oxidase. Tranylcypromine also leads to an increase in brain trace amines, which are believed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of depression. It also affects other pathophysiological pathways associated with depression. Tranylcypromine treatment leads to an up-regulation of GABA(B)-receptors and modulates the phospholipid metabolism, which is essential for normal brain function. These findings implicate that the efficacy of tranylcypromine as an antidepressant may be due to its multiple actions within the human brain.

A Rapid Functional Assay for the Human Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 Based on the Mobilization of Internal Calcium

The molecular targets for trace amines (TAs) such as p-tyramine and β-phenylethylamine have been recently discovered and have been shown to comprise a family of G-protein-coupled receptors based on DNA sequence homologies. These have been termed trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) because TAs do not activate all of the identified receptors. Because TA may be involved in modulating a variety of behaviors including mood, cognition, and addiction, it is of interest to discover novel ligands for TAARs to probe the role TAs play in brain function. Pharmacophore development for the Gs-coupled human TAAR1 ( hTAAR1) would be aided by a rapid functional assay amenable to screening libraries of compounds. Accordingly, the authors used RD-HGA16 CHO-1 cells from Molecular Devices, which stably express the promiscuous Gq, Gα16, to create a cell line stably expressing hTAAR1, thereby coupling receptor activation to the mobilization of internal calcium. They used this cell line to develop a homogenous fluorometric imaging plate reader-based assay using the Calcium 3 fluorescent dye. The EC50 and Emax data obtained for known TAs are in close agreement with previous work using transient hTAAR1 expression systems or a chimeric receptor. These data indicate that the hTAAR1 retains its reported pharmacological characteristics when coupled to Gα16.

Multi-target strategies for the improved treatment of depressive states: Conceptual foundations and neuronal substrates, drug discovery and therapeutic application

Major depression is a debilitating and recurrent disorder with a substantial lifetime risk and a high social cost. Depressed patients generally display co-morbid symptoms, and depression frequently accompanies other serious disorders. Currently available drugs display limited efficacy and a pronounced delay to onset of action, and all provoke distressing side effects. Cloning of the human genome has fuelled expectations that symptomatic treatment may soon become more rapid and effective, and that depressive states may ultimately be "prevented" or "cured". In pursuing these objectives, in particular for genome-derived, non-monoaminergic targets, "specificity" of drug actions is often emphasized. That is, priority is afforded to agents that interact exclusively with a single site hypothesized as critically involved in the pathogenesis and/or control of depression. Certain highly selective drugs may prove effective, and they remain indispensable in the experimental (and clinical) evaluation of the significance of novel mechanisms. However, by analogy to other multifactorial disorders, "multi-target" agents may be better adapted to the improved treatment of depressive states. Support for this contention is garnered from a broad palette of observations, ranging from mechanisms of action of adjunctive drug combinations and electroconvulsive therapy to "network theory" analysis of the etiology and management of depressive states. The review also outlines opportunities to be exploited, and challenges to be addressed, in the discovery and characterization of drugs recognizing multiple targets. Finally, a diversity of multi-target strategies is proposed for the more efficacious and rapid control of core and co-morbid symptoms of depression, together with improved tolerance relative to currently available agents.

Receptors of mammalian trace amines

The discovery of a family of G-protein coupled receptors, some of which bind and are activated by biogenic trace amines, has prompted speculation as to the physiological role of these receptors. Observations associated with the distribution of these trace amine associated receptors (TAARs) suggest that they may be involved in depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, migraine headaches, and Parkinson's disease. Preliminary in vitro data, obtained using cloned receptors, also suggest a role for TAARs in the function of hallucinogens.

An automated system for the analysis of G protein-coupled receptor transmembrane binding pockets: alignment, receptor-based pharmacophores, and their application

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) share a common architecture consisting of seven transmembrane (TM) domains. Various lines of evidence suggest that this fold provides a generic binding pocket within the TM region for hosting agonists, antagonists, and allosteric modulators. Here, a comprehensive and automated method allowing fast analysis and comparison of these putative binding pockets across the entire GPCR family is presented. The method relies on a robust alignment algorithm based on conservation indices, focusing on pharmacophore-like relationships between amino acids. Analysis of conservation patterns across the GPCR family and alignment to the rhodopsin X-ray structure allows the extraction of the amino acids lining the TM binding pocket in a so-called ligand binding pocket vector (LPV). In a second step, LPVs are translated to simple 3D receptor pharmacophore models, where each amino acid is represented by a single spherical pharmacophore feature and all atomic detail is omitted. Applications of the method include the assessment of selectivity issues, support of mutagenesis studies, and the derivation of rules for focused screening to identify chemical starting points in early drug discovery projects. Because of the coarseness of this 3D receptor pharmacophore model, however, meaningful scoring and ranking procedures of large sets of molecules are not justified. The LPV analysis of the trace amine-associated receptor family and its experimental validation is discussed as an example. The value of the 3D receptor model is demonstrated for a class C GPCR family, the metabotropic glutamate receptors.

Trace amine-associated receptors form structurally and functionally distinct subfamilies of novel G protein-coupled receptors

Trace amines are endogenous compounds structurally related to classical biogenic amines that have been studied for decades, triggered by their link to psychiatric conditions of high epidemiological and economical relevance. The understanding of their pharmacology on the molecular level was hampered until the recent discovery of trace-amine-specific receptors. We completed the identification of all members of this novel GPCR family in human, chimpanzee, rat, and mouse and observed remarkable interspecies differences, even between human and chimpanzee. The analysis of the chromosomal localizations, phylogenetic relationships, and ligand pocket vectors reveals three distinct receptor subfamilies. As most of these receptors do not respond to trace amines, each subfamily will presumably have a distinct pharmacological profile, which remains to be identified. We propose a uniform nomenclature describing this novel GPCR family in all mammalian species as trace-amine-associated receptors (TAARs), which resolves the ambiguities and contradictions of the previous naming.

A renaissance in trace amines inspired by a novel GPCR family

Trace amines (TAs) are endogenous compounds that are related to biogenic amine neurotransmitters and are present in the mammalian nervous system in trace amounts. Although their pronounced pharmacological effects and tight link to major human disorders such as depression and schizophrenia have been studied for decades, the understanding of their molecular mode of action remained incomplete because of the apparent absence of specialized receptors. However, the recent discovery of a novel family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that includes individual members that are highly specific for TAs indicates a potential role for TAs as vertebrate neurotransmitters or neuromodulators, although the majority of these GPCRs so far have not been demonstrated to be activated by TAs. The unique pharmacology and expression pattern of these receptors make them prime candidates for targets in drug development in the context of several neurological diseases. Current research focuses on dissecting their molecular pharmacology and on the identification of endogenous ligands for the apparently TA-insensitive members of this receptor family.

Pharmacological studies with endogenous enhancer substances: beta-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, and their synthetic derivatives

The discovery of enhancer regulation in the mesencephalon and the concept that it plays a key role in the operation of innate and acquired drives [Neurochem. Res. 28 (2003) 1187] sets the trace amines (TAs) in their true physiological perspective. The regulation is defined as the existence of enhancer-sensitive neurons in the brain capable of working in a split-second on a high activity level due to endogenous enhancer substances. For the time being, only beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) and tryptamine are the experimentally analyzed examples. (-)-Deprenyl (selegiline), widely used in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease today, and known as the first selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) type-B inhibitor for decades, was identified as a PEA-derived synthetic mesencephalic enhancer substance. An important and convincing confirmation of the enhancer concept was the recent development of a highly specific and potent tryptamine-derived synthetic mesencephalic enhancer substance, (-)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-propylaminopentane [(-)-BPAP]. This substance, which is specific and hundreds of times more potent than selegiline, is now the best experimental tool to study the enhancer regulation in the mesencephalon and a promising candidate to significantly surpass the therapeutic efficiency of selegiline in depression, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Differential trace amine alterations in individuals receiving acetylenic inhibitors of MAO-A (clorgyline) or MAO-B (selegiline and pargyline)

Marked, dose-dependent elevations in the urinary excretion of phenylethylamine, para-tyramine, and meta-tyramine were observed in depressed patients treated for three or more weeks with 10, 30, or 60 mg/day of the partially-selective inhibitor of MAO-B, selegiline (l-deprenyl). In comparative studies with other, structurally similar acetylenic inhibitors of MAO, pargyline, an MAO-B > MAO-A inhibitor used in doses of 90 mg/day for three or more weeks, produced elevations in these trace amines which were similar to those found with the highest dose of selegiline studied. Clorgyline, a selective inhibitor of MAO-A used in doses of 30 mg/day for three or more weeks (a dose/time regimen previously reported to reduce urinary, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) > 80%, indicating a marked inhibitory effect on MAO-A in humans in vivo) produced negligible changes in trace amine excretion. In comparison to recent studies of individuals lacking the genes for MAO-A, MAO-B, or both MAO-A and MAO-B, the lack of change in trace amine excretion in individuals with a mutation affecting only MAO-A is in agreement with the observed lack of effect of clorgyline in the present study. Selegiline produced larger changes in trace amines--at least at the higher doses studied--than found in individuals lacking the gene for MAO-B, in agreement with other data suggesting a lesser selectivity for MAO-B inhibition when selegiline was given in doses higher than 10 mg/day. Overall, trace amine elevations in individuals receiving the highest dose of deprenyl or receiving pargyline were approximately three to five-fold lower than the elevations observed in individuals lacking the genes for both MAO-A and MAO-B, suggesting that these drug doses yield incomplete inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B.

Decreased beta-phenylethylamine in CSF in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the concentrations of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) in CSF in patients with Parkinson's disease, and to evaluate the relation between concentration of PEA in CSF and severity of Parkinson's disease.

METHODS

Using gas chromatography-chemical ionisation mass spectrometry, CSF concentrations of PEA were measured in 23 patients with Parkinson's disease (mean age, 64.0 (SD 8.2) years), of whom three were at Hoehn and Yahr stage II, 11 were at stage III, and nine were at stage IV. Comparison was made with eight patients with neuropathy (mean age, 57.0 (SD 19.2) years) and 12 controls without neurological disease (mean age, 57.6 (SD 4.8) years).

RESULTS

Concentrations of PEA in CSF in Parkinson's disease were significantly lower (mean 205 (SD 131) pg/ml) than in patients with peripheral neuropathy (433 (SD 254) pg/ml) and controls (387 (SD 194) pg/ml). The concentrations of PEA in CSF correlated negatively with Hoehn and Yahr stage (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are decreased CSF concentrations of PEA in patients with Parkinson's disease.

A kinetic analysis of the effects of beta-phenylethylamine on the concentrations of dopamine and its metabolites in the rat striatum

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the increase in the dopamine (DA) concentration in the rat striatum after a rapid iv injection of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) can be quantitatively explained by the alteration of the striatum PEA concentration using a constructed DA metabolism model and to examine whether the time courses of the striatum DA metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentration can be described by this DA metabolism model. The time courses of PEA concentration in plasma and the striatum were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The plasma PEA concentration was described by a two-compartment model with nonlinear elimination kinetics. The striatum PEA concentration was about 10 times higher than the plasma PEA concentration. The time course of the striatum PEA concentration was described by a diffusion-limited model including a Michaelis-Menten type transport system from plasma to the striatum and nonlinear elimination from the striatum. The DA concentration in the striatum increased immediately after PEA injection. In contrast, the DOPAC concentration in the striatum decreased immediately. HVA concentration in the striatum increased gradually. Assuming that the enhancement of DA concentration in the striatum after PEA injection is caused by the competitive inhibition of PEA on the reuptake of DA into DA neuronal terminals (and the metabolism from DA to DOPAC is then competitively inhibited by PEA in the DA neuronal terminals), the relationship between the enhancement of DA concentration and PEA concentration in the striatum was analyzed using a constructed DA metabolism model. The enhancement of the DA concentration in the striatum was described quantitatively by this model. Thus, it was clarified that a quantitative relationship between PEA concentration and the enhancement of DA concentration in the striatum is present after PEA injection. However, the time courses of the striatum DOPAC (lower dose) and HVA (time delay) concentrations could not be described by this model. These results indicated that other factors might be necessary to explain the time courses of the DOPAC and HVA concentrations in the striatum after PEA injection, such as the separate evaluation of the effect of PEA on the reuptake of DA into DA neuronal terminals and on the monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity in the DA neuronal terminals, and the metabolic pathway from DOPAC to HVA.

Urinary phenylethylamine and cortisol levels in the early puerperium

Phenylethylamine and cortisol were measured in 24-h urine samples taken from women day 2/3 postpartum, and matched controls. They also completed self-rating blues and highs scales. There was no significant difference in phenylethylamine excretion in those who scored highly with blues or highs, and either postpartum or normal controls. The number of raised values for phenylethylamine output was significantly greater in the postpartum women, who had no psychopathology, than in normal controls. Cortisol levels were significantly raised in postpartum controls compared with normal controls; women with the highs excreted significantly less cortisol than other postpartum women.

Monoamine oxidase A-inhibiting components of urinary tribulin: purification and identification

The endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity, termed tribulin, contains several components. We have previously identified one of them, isatin, which is a selective inhibitor of MAO B. In the present study we have purified several further components of human urinary tribulin which act as selective inhibitors of MAO A. They have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as ethyl indole-3-acetate (and/or methyl indole-3-propionate), methyl indole-3-acetate and ethyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate. IC50 values for MAO A were found to be 44 microM (105 microM for methyl indole-3-propionate), 88 microM and 120 microM, respectively, whilst those for MAO B were each greater than 1 mM. The artificial formation of these esters was excluded by carrying the parent acids, from which they are presumably synthesized, through the purification procedure. As tribulin output is increased during stress or anxiety, these results point to a possible role for tryptamine and tyramine pathways in such disorders.