Posted by undopaminergic on March 30, 2008, at 19:02:09
In reply to Re: Parnate metabolites » Quintal, posted by Larry Hoover on March 30, 2008, at 17:26:36
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> As I stated earlier, the structural similarity of tranylcypromine to amphetamine was intentional (according to Goodman and Gillman's 'The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics', which is the 'bible' for phsychiatrists and pharmacists, both), in order to confer stimulant activity to the MAOI.
If that is what the designers of tranylcypromine claim, I suppose you're right, but a more likely explanation for the similarity of tranylcypromine and amphetamine would seem to be the fact that the structural similarity of the two compounds to the catecholamine neurotransmitters serves to make them substrates of the MAO enzymes, which allows the inhibitor the opportunity to react with, and thus inactivate, the enzyme. The propane ring would seem to be the active (reactive) site of the MAOI, and in contrast, is what amphetamine lacks. Thus, any stimulant properties that the similarity to amphetamine may bestow upon the MAOI seems more likely a coincidence or side effect than a design goal.
poster:undopaminergic
thread:819514
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080204/msgs/820758.html