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.

Synthesis and Metabolism

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.

Related Topics:
C - H - N - Decarboxylation - Histidine - Catalyzed - Enzyme - L-histidine decarboxylase - Hydrophilic - Amine - Histamine-N-methyltransferase - Diamine oxidase - Food poisoning

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