Summary
Adrenaline (A) is synthesized in the adrenal medullae by the enzyme phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT). After surgical removal of the adrenal medullae tissue A levels ranged from 22% of control in the heart to 125% of control in the liver. Use of a novel assay to measure tissue A formation revealed that many tissues can synthesize A using PNMT and another enzyme that N-methylates both noradrenaline and dopamine. These enzymes are non-neuronal, inducible and synthesize a major fraction of tissue and urine A.
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Ziegler, M.G., Kennedy, B. & Elayan, H. Extraadrenal adrenaline formation by two separate enzymes. Experientia 45, 718–720 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01974566
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01974566