Abstract
THE conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline is catalysed by phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT,EC 211)1,2, which is highly localised in the adrenal medulla. Small amounts of PNMT-like enzyme2–5 and adrenaline6,7 have been detected in the central nervous system, and we have now been able to study the distribution of the enzyme in specific nuclei of the rat brain. This has been made possible by the development of a technique for the dissection of small areas and individual nuclei8 of the brain, and the availability of a sensitive assay for the measurement of PNMT. Our findings suggest that adrenaline may serve as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kirshner, N., and Goodall, Mc. C., Biochim. biophys. Acta, 24, 658–659 (1957).
Axelrod, J., J. biol. Chem., 237, 1657–1660 (1962).
Mc. Geer, P. L., and McGeer, E. G., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 17, 502–507 (1964).
Ciaranello, R. D., Barchas, R. E., Byers, G. S., Stemmle, D. W., and Barchas, J. D., Nature, 221, 368–369 (1969).
Pohorecky, L. A., Zigmond, M., Karten, H., and Wurtman, R. J., J. Pharm. exp. Ther., 165, 190–195 (1969).
Vogt, M., J. Physiol. Lond., 123, 451–481 (1954).
Gunne, L. M., Acta Physiol. Scand., 56, 324–333 (1962).
Palkovits, M., Brain Res., 59, 449–450 (1973).
Dahlström, A., and Fuxe, K., Acta Physiol. Scand., 62, Suppl. 232, 1–55 (1965).
Hökfelt, T., Fuxe, K., Goldstein, M., and Johansson, O., Acta Physiol. Scand., 89, 286–289 (1973).
Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., and Randall, R. J., J. biol. Chem., 193, 265–275 (1951).
Saavedra, J. M., Coyle, J. T., and Axelrod, J., J. Neurochem., 20, 743–752 (1973).
Ciaranello, R. D., and Axelrod, J., J. biol Chem., 248, 5616–5623 (1973).
Wooten, F., and Saavedra, J. M., J. Neurochem. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SAAVEDRA, J., PALKOVITS, M., BROWNSTEIN, M. et al. Localisation of phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase in the rat brain nuclei. Nature 248, 695–696 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248695a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248695a0
This article is cited by
-
Trace amine‐associated receptors and their ligands
British Journal of Pharmacology (2006)
-
Differences in the immunoreactivity to phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase in the central adrenergic neurons of four strains of rats
Cell & Tissue Research (1991)
-
Adrenergic innervation of the dorsal vagal motor nucleus: possible involvement in inhibitory control of gastric acid and pancreatic insulin secretion
Cell and Tissue Research (1990)
-
Behavioral effects of the inhibitors of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, LY 78335 and LY 134046, and their interactions with ethanol
Psychopharmacology (1990)
-
Radioimmunochemical methods for the quantitative autoradiographic determination of antigens in brain and other tissues
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (1988)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
