Search results for "Tryptophan hydroxylase"

Cardiovascular and Endocrine Properties of L-Tryptophan in Combination with Various Diets

1991

Brain serotonin neurons are intimately involved in a number of relevant physiological functions such as cardiovascular regulation, neuroendocrine output from the anterior pituitary (e.g. ACTH, prolactin), regulation of behavior (e.g. agression, sleep, locomotor and sexual behavior), mood or appetite control (Fernstrom, 1983; Lehnert et al., 1987; Spring et al., 1987; Wurtman, 1987). The synthesis of brain serotonin is dependent on the availability of the large neutral amino acid L-tryptophan that is hydroxylated to 5-L-hydroxytryptophan and subsequently decarboxylated to yield serotonin. The rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase has a Michaelis constant of approximately 2–3 x 10−5 M w…