2. Academic Validation
  3. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT): An Update on Its Role in Cancer, Neurological and Cardiovascular Diseases

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT): An Update on Its Role in Cancer, Neurological and Cardiovascular Diseases

  • Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol. 2017:173:1-39. doi: 10.1007/112_2017_2.
Pedro Bastos 1,  Tiago Gomes 2 3,  Laura Ribeiro 4 5 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Molecular Biology Center, Blood Bank and Transfusion Department, S. João Hospital, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
  • 2 Department of Neurology, S. João Hospital, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
  • 3 Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
  • 4 Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal. lribeiro@med.up.pt.
  • 5 Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal. lribeiro@med.up.pt.
  • 6 I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. lribeiro@med.up.pt.
PMID: 28456872 DOI: 10.1007/112_2017_2
Abstract

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an Enzyme that catalyses the methylation of catechol substrates, classically in Catecholamine metabolism, but also acting upon Other substrates such as oestrogen and Polyphenols. Although its classical function has been established for more than five decades, an ever expanding COMT role in Other pathways and diseases has become a subject of active study in recent years. The most highlighted domains are related with COMT involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders and its role in the neurobiology of cognition, behaviour, emotions, pain processing and perception, sleep regulation, addictive behaviour and neurodegeneration. Nonetheless, great attention is also being devoted to a possible COMT contribution to the development of cardiovascular disorders and hormonally influenced diseases, including Cancer. This review aims to update the role of COMT function and its involvement in cardiovascular and neurological disorders.

Keywords

COMT; Cancer; Cardiovascular; Neurodegeneration; Polymorphisms; Psychiatric disorders.

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