3-Methoxytyramine
3-Methoxytyramine, also known as 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenethylamine, is a human trace amine that occurs as a metabolite of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is formed by the introduction of a methyl group to dopamine by the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase. 3-MT can be further metabolized by the enzyme monoamine oxidase to form homovanillic acid, which is then typically excreted in the urine.
Originally thought to be physiologically inactive, 3-MT has recently been shown to act as an agonist of human TAAR1.Occurrence
3-Methoxytyramine occurs naturally in the prickly pear cactus, and is in general widespread throughout the Cactaceae. It has also been found in crown gall tumors on Nicotiana sp.
In humans, 3-methoxytyramine is a trace amine that occurs as a metabolite of dopamine.
