Histamine

Histamine is a biogenic amine chemical involved in local immune responses as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter. New evidence also indicates that histamine plays a role in chemotaxis of white blood cells.

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Chemically, histamine is 2-(4-imidazolyl)ethylamine and has the formula C5H9N3. Histamine is synthesized by the decarboxylation of the amino acid histidine, a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase. It is a hydrophilic vasoactive amine (thus the name). Once formed, histamine is either stored or rapidly inactivated. Histamine is broken down by histamine-N-methyltransferase and diamine oxidase, and is also possibly taken up by a transporter. Some forms of food poisoning are due to conversion of histidine into histamine in spoiled foodstuffs, such as fish.

Amine: Amines are organic compounds containing nitrogen as the key atom in the amine functional group. Amines have structures resembling ammonia, where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl groups or other groups where the nitrogen is bonded to a carbon atom in the group (groups symbolized by R...

Chemical: REDIRECT Chemical substance...

Immune responses: REDIRECT Immune system...