Endocrinology 2 Flashcards
Categorize and differentiate properties of hormones based on their chemical structure.
Amines (half life: 2-3 minutes)
Catecholamines: derived from single tyrosine
Indoleamines: derived from single tryptophan
Thyroid hormone (T4/T3): derived from 2 tyrosines (very long half life – T4 = 8 days; T3 = 24 hours)
Peptides/Proteins (half life: 4-170 minutes)
most hormones are of this type
Steroids (half life: minutes to several hours)
What kind of hormone is derived from tryptophan?
indoleamine
What kind of hormone is derived from one tyrosine?
Derived from 2 tyrosines?
one tyrosine - catecholamines
2 tyrosines- thyroid hormone
Which hormone has the longest half life?
thyroid hormone (T4/T3)
Compare and contrast catecholamines and indoleamines. Describe their basic biosynthetic pathways and inactivation mechanisms.
Half life?
How they travel in blood?
How they activate?
Main difference?
Half-life is very short. These hormones act very fast and are rapidly degraded.
Travel freely in the blood
Always bind to a membrane receptor to activate second messenger signaling pathways.
- *Main difference = synthesis
- tyrosine or tryptophan
- tyrosine hydroxylase or tryptophan hydroxylase
Give example of tyrosine-derived hormones.
What is the RLS?
Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine (aka – adrenaline)
Tyrosine hydroxylase is rate limiting step. Often used as a marker for dopaminergic activity
Slide 10
Describe dopamine and its action.
Which 2 body organs is it made in?
Functions as a neurotransmitter and a hormone
Dopamine is made in 2 main body organs:
1. Brain: substantia nigra (Parkinson Disease), ventral tegmental area arcuate nucleus (for release to pituitary).
Regulates multiple brain functions as neurotransmitter – reward pathways, attention, mood
- Adrenal Gland: adrenal medulla where it is converted to norepinephrine.
Hormone action: inhibits prolactin release from the anterior pituitary.
How is norepinephrine synthesized?
from dopamine in adrenal medulla with dopamine Beta hydoxylase
Describe the role of dopamine.
From where do dopaminergic neurons arise?
Where is dopamine released?
How are DA concentrations maintained?
Tonic inhibitor of prolactin in the anterior pituitary
Dopamingergic neurons arise from arcuate nucleus
Dopamine is released into hypophysial capillary bed
Dopaminergic neurons in the arcuate are distinct from those in other parts of the brain – TH is constitutively active maintaining high DA concentrations in arcuate
Describe norepinephrine.
What does stimulation require?
Describe tissue concentrations. Where does conversion take place?
What catalyzes the reaction?
Functions as a neurotransmitter and hormone
Requires sympathetic nervous system stimulation
Most tissue concentrations equal that of the synapse – conversion takes place primarily in neurons
Dopamine beta-hydroxylase catalyzes reaction
What type of neurons release NE?
Describe the receptors through which NE acts.
What innervates the adrenal medulla where conversion to epi occurs?
Which cells release hormone into the blood?
Sympathetic post-ganglionic neurons release NE
NE acts through both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors
Splanchnic nerve innervates the adrenal medulla where conversion to epinephrine occurs
Chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla are homologous to postsympathetic neurons – release hormone into blood
Draw/write out the reaction for what can be synthesized from tryptophan.
What step is rate limiting?
Slide 15
Tryptophan to serotonin to melatonin
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is rate limiting
Serotonin – both a neurotransmitter and a hormone
Melatonin – hormone produced in pineal gland
(rate limiting enzyme = SNA)
Describe serotonin.
Name?
What type of cells (and where) is most serotonin produced?
Neurotransmitter in the brain
“the happiness hormone”
Most (95%) of the serotonin in the body is produced by enterochromaffin cells in gut
Vasoconstrictor
Stimulates smooth muscle contraction in intestine
Describe the two primary mechanisms of monoamine metabolism..
Describe the enzymes involved in these processes.
DEAMINATION AND METHYLATION
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) = oxidative deamination
- removes an amine group resulting in aldehyde and ammonia
- inactivates catecholamines and indoleamines
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) = adds a methyl group
-metabolism of catecholamines
What does monoamine oxidase do?
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) = oxidative deamination
- removes an amine group resulting in aldehyde and ammonia
- inactivates catecholamines and indoleamines
MAOIs = pharmaceutical drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders