Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Human Recombinant Protein

Catechol-O-methyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to catecholamines, including the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. This O-methylation results in one of the major degradative pathways of the catecholamine transmitters. In addition to its role in the metabolism of endogenous substances, COMT is important in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, asthma, and Parkinson disease. COMT is found in two forms in tissues, a soluble form (S-COMT) and a membrane-bound form (MB-COMT). The differences between S-COMT and MB-COMT reside within the N-termini. Several transcript variants are formed through the use of alternative translation initiation sites and promoters. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2008]

COMT: Catalyzes the O-methylation, and thereby the inactivation, of catecholamine neurotransmitters and catechol hormones. Also shortens the biological half-lives of certain neuroactive drugs, like L-DOPA, alpha-methyl DOPA and isoproterenol. Belongs to the mammalian catechol-O-methyltransferase family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative initiation.

Protein type: EC 2.1.1.6; Membrane protein, integral; Methyltransferase; Amino Acid Metabolism - tyrosine

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 22q11.21

Cellular Component: postsynaptic membrane; mitochondrion; membrane; axon; plasma membrane; integral to membrane; dendritic spine; cytosol

Molecular Function: protein binding; magnesium ion binding; O-methyltransferase activity; catechol O-methyltransferase activity

Biological Process: response to drug; methylation; estrogen metabolic process; cellular response to phosphate starvation; neurotransmitter catabolic process; dopamine catabolic process; short-term memory; negative regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation; response to lipopolysaccharide; response to pain; female pregnancy; learning; reproductive process in a multicellular organism; positive regulation of homocysteine metabolic process; response to organic cyclic substance; negative regulation of dopamine metabolic process; synaptic transmission; xenobiotic metabolic process; regulation of sensory perception of pain; developmental process; neurotransmitter biosynthetic process

Disease: Schizophrenia; Panic Disorder 1