Decarboxylation – Genesis of biogenic amines

Decarboxylation is the removal of a carboxyl group. Only some amino acids undergo this process.

The result is the formation of so-called biogenic amines (monoamines), which exhibit a broad spectrum of functions' in the human body.

Cleavage of the carboxyl group into carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon residue

Basic overview of biogenic amines: 1) Tyr → catecholamines (DOPA → dopamine → noradrenaline → adrenaline)

2) Trp → serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine)

3) Glu' → γ-aminobutyrate (GABA)

4) His' → histamine

5) Ser → ethanolamine → choline → acetylcholine

6) Cys → cysteamine

7) Asp' → β-alanine