Tryptamine edit

Tryptamine is an indolamine metabolite of the essential amino acid, tryptophan.[1][2] The chemical structure is defined by an indole - a fused benzene and pyrrole ring, and a 2-aminoethyl group at the third carbon.[1] The structure of tryptamine is a shared feature of certain aminergic neuromodulators including melatonin, serotonin, bufotenin and psychedelic derivatives such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, psilocin and others.[1][3][4] [5] Various amounts of tryptamine and related indolamine alkaloids are present in plants, fungi and animals.[6] Tryptamine has been shown to activate trace amine-associated receptors expressed in the mammalian brain, and regulates the activity of of dopaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic systems.[7] [8] In the human gut, symbiotic bacteria convert dietary tryptophan to tryptamine, which activates 5-HT4 receptors and regulates gastrointestinal motility.[2][9][10] Multiple tryptamine-derived drugs have been developed to treat migraines, while trace amine-associated receptors are being explored as a potential treatment target for neuropsychiatric disorders.[11][12][13][6]

For a list of tryptamine derivatives, see: List of substituted tryptamines.

 
All tryptamine derivatives possess a modified 2-aminoethyl group and/or the addition of a substituent on the indole.

Natural Occurrences edit

For a list of plants, fungi and animals containing tryptamines, see: List of psychoactive plants and List of naturally occurring tryptamines.

Mammalian Brain edit

Endogenous levels of tryptamine in the mammalian brain are less than 100ng per gram of tissue.[4] [8] However, elevated levels of trace amines have been observed in neuropsychiatric disorders, such as bipolar depression and schizophrenia.[14]

Mammalian Gut Microbiome edit

Tryptamine is relatively abundant in the gut and feces of humans and rodents.[2][9] Commensal bacteria, including Ruminococcus gnavus and Clostridium sporogenes in the gastrointestinal tract, possess the enzyme tryptophan decarboxylase, which aids in the conversion of dietary tryptophan to tryptamine.[2] Tryptamine is a ligand for gut epithelial serotonin type 4 (5-HT4) receptors and regulates gastrointestinal electrolyte balance through colonic secretions.[9]

Metabolism of Tryptamine edit

 
Conversion of tryptophan to tryptamine, followed by its degradation to indole-3-acetic acid.

Biosynthesis edit

To yield tryptamine in vivo, tryptophan decarboxylase removes the carboxylic acid group on the α-carbon of tryptophan.[4] Synthetic modifications to tryptamine can produce serotonin and melatonin, however it is not the main pathway of endogenous neurotransmitter synthesis.[15]

Catabolism edit

Monoamine oxidases A and B are the primary enzymes involved in tryptamine metabolism to produce indole-3-acetaldehyde, however it is unclear which isoform is specific to tryptamine degradation.[16]

Mechanism of Action and Biological Effects edit

Neuromodulation edit

Tryptamine can weakly activate the trace amine-associated receptor, TAAR1 (hTAAR1 in humans).[17][7][18] Limited studies have considered tryptamine to be a trace neuromodulator capable of regulating the activity of neuronal cell responses without binding to the associated postsynaptic receptors.[18] [14]

hTAAR1 edit

 
Tryptamine promotes intestinal motility by activating serotonin receptors in the gut to increase colonic secretions.

hTAAR1 is a stimulatory G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is weakly expressed in the intracellular compartment of both pre- and postsynaptic neurons.[8] Tryptamine and other hTAAR1 agonists can increase neuronal firing by inhibiting neurotransmitter recycling through cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the monoamine reuptake transporter.[19] [14] This mechanism increases the amount of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft, subsequently increasing postsynaptic receptor binding and neuronal activation.[14] Conversely, when hTAAR1 are colocalized with G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs), receptor activation reduces neuronal firing by facilitating membrane hyperpolarization through the efflux of potassium ions.[14] The balance between the inhibitory and excitatory activity of hTAAR1 activation highlights the role of tryptamine in the regulation of neural activity.[20]

Activation of hTAAR1 is under investigation as a novel treatment for depression, addiction and schizophrenia.[21] hTAAR1 is primarily expressed in brain structures associated with dopamine systems, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and serotonin systems in the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN).[21] Additionally, the hTAAR1 gene is localized at 6q23.2 on the human chromosome, which is a susceptibility locus for mood disorders and schizophrenia.[22] Activation of TAAR1 suggests a potential novel treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders, as TAAR1 agonists produce anti-depressive activity, increased cognition, reduced stress and anti-addiction effects.[20] [22]

Gastrointestinal Motility edit

Tryptamine produced by mutualistic bacteria in the human gut activates serotonin GPCRs ubiquitously expressed along the colonic epithelium.[9] Upon tryptamine binding, the activated 5-HT4 receptor undergoes a conformational change which allows its Gs alpha subunit to exchange GDP for GTP, and its liberation from the 5-HT4 receptor and βγ subunit.[9] GTP-bound Gs activates adenylyl cyclase, which catalyzes the conversion of ATP into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).[9] cAMP opens chloride and potassium ion channels to drive colonic electrolyte secretion and promote intestinal motility.[10][23]

Pharmacokinetics edit

TAAR1 Activation (EC50) and Binding Affinity (Ki) of Tryptamines[22]
Tryptamine Human TAAR1 Mouse TAAR1 Rat TAAR
EC50 Ki EC50 Ki EC50 Ki
Tryptamine 21 N/A 2.7 1.4 0.41 0.13
Serotonin >50 N/A >50 N/A 5.2 N/A
Psilocin >30 N/A 2.7 17 0.92 1.4
DMT >10 N/A 1.2 3.3 1.5 22
EC50 and Ki values are in micromolar (μM). EC50 reflects the amount

of tryptamine required to elicit 50% of the maximum TAAR1 response.

The smaller the Ki value, the stronger the tryptamine binds to the receptor.

Tryptamine-Based Therapeutics edit

Drug Mechanism Treatment Effect Structure
Sumatriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Sumatriptan
Rizatriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Rizatriptan
Zolmitriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Zolmitriptan
Almotriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Almotriptan
Eletriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Eletriptan
Frovatriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Frovatriptan
Naratriptan[11] 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D agonist Migraine Headaches Vasoconstriction of brain blood vessels
 
Naratriptan

See also edit

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  2. ^ a b c d Jenkins, Trisha A.; Nguyen, Jason C. D.; Polglaze, Kate E.; Bertrand, Paul P. (2016-01-20). "Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis". Nutrients. 8 (1). doi:10.3390/nu8010056. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 4728667. PMID 26805875.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  3. ^ Tylš, Filip; Páleníček, Tomáš; Horáček, Jiří (2014-03-01). "Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives". European Neuropsychopharmacology. 24 (3): 342–356. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.12.006. ISSN 0924-977X.
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  5. ^ "The Ayahuasca Phenomenon". MAPS. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  6. ^ a b Kousara, Shazia; Anjuma, Sadia Noreen; Jaleela, Farrukh; Khana, Jallat; Naseema, Sidra (2017). "Biomedical Significance of Tryptamine: A Review". Journal of Pharmacovigilance. 5 (5). doi:10.4172/2329-6887.1000239. ISSN 2329-6887.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
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