Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Organic Chemicals > Amines > Biogenic Amines Terms and Definitions

Biogenic Amines

Medical Definition:	A group of naturally occurring amines derived by enzymatic decarboxylation of the natural amino acids. Many have powerful physiological effects (e.g., histamine, serotonin, epinephrine, tyramine). Those derived from aromatic amino acids, and also their synthetic analogs (e.g., amphetamine), are of use in pharmacology.
Guide Notes:	GEN or unspecified: prefer specific biogenic amine group term or specific biogenic amine indented under each
Previously Indexed:	Amines (1966-1970)

Biogenic Amines Categories.

	Acetylcholine - A neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine in vertebrates is the major transmitter at neuromuscular junctions, autonomic ganglia, parasympathetic effector junctions, a subset of sympathetic effector junctions, and at many sites in the central nervous system. It is generally not used as an administered drug because it is broken down very rapidly by cholinesterases, but it is useful in some ophthalmological applications.
	Biogenic Monoamines - Biogenic amines having only one amine moiety. Included in this group are all natural monoamines formed by the enzymatic decarboxylation of natural amino acids.
	Biogenic Polyamines - Biogenic amines having more than one amine group. These are long-chain aliphatic compounds that contain multiple amino and/or imino groups. Because of the linear arrangement of positive charge on these molecules, polyamines bind electrostatically to ribosomes, DNA, and RNA.

Biogenic Amines Medical Definitions and Terms

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