Synthesis of Serotonin

 

Serotonin is manufactured in the human brain using the essential amino acid tryptophan which is found in foods such as bananas, pineapples, plums, turkey and milk. 

The enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase adds a hydroxyl group to tryptophan's benzene ring at position 5, creating 5-hydroxytryptophan.  Another enzyme, amino acid decarboxylase, then removes a carboxyl group from 5-hydroxytryptophan, forming 5-hydroxytryptamine which is more commonly known as serotonin.

 

 

 

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Claire Rosling

 

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Site Designer:

Claire Rosling

 

Email:

 cr2704@bristol.ac.uk

 

Home
Introduction
Synthesis
Neurotransmitter
Depression
LSD
References