Serotonin Synthesis

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Serotonin (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signalling molecule in all bilateral animals, where it mediates gut movements and the animal's perceptions of resource availability. 5-HT was found in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), blood platelets, and the central nervous system (CNS) [1] [2]. Approximately 90% of 5-HT in the human body is synthesized and released in the GI tract, and the remainder is synthesized in serotonergic neurons of the CNS. 5-HT is synthesized from tryptophan, through the metabolic intermediate of 5-hydroxytryptophan that is catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). Furthermore, TPH is the rate-limiting enzyme in the 5-HT biosynthesis process [3] [4].

Two distinct TPH genes, TPH1 and TPH2 were
…show more content…
[7] [8].5-HT influences GI tract physiology (motor and secretory function) following inflammation and is considered important in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Changes in 5-HT content and in EC cell numbers have been reported in association with both IBS and IBD. The abnormal changes of 5-HT are considered to have close correlation with abnormal GI tract motility, visceral hyperalgesia, inflammation etc. [9] …show more content…
The most famous TPH inhibitor is para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) which has been proved effective in treating diarrhea in patients with carcinoid syndrome and emesis induced by chemotherapy. However, pCPA treatments have also been linked to depression and other alterations in CNS function, precluding the development of this agent for therapeutic use. Therefore, finding a TPH1 inhibitor for decreasing the negative effects in CNS is imperative [13] -

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