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PubMed2004

Association of the functional V158M catechol-O-methyl-transferase polymorphism with panic disorder in women.

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder with an estimated heritability of up to 48%. Pharmacological and genetic studies suggest that genes coding for proteins involved in the catecholaminergic system might be relevant for the pathogenesis of the disease. In the present study, we genotyped a single nucleotide polymorphism (472G/A=V158M) in the coding region of the catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) gene in 115 patients with panic disorder and age- and sex-matched controls. Association analysis revealed a significant excess of the more active COMT allele (472G=V158) in patients with panic disorder (p=0.04), particularly in female patients (p=0.01), but not in male patients (p=1.0). The assessment of a possible interaction of the COMT polymorphism with a previously reported functional 30-bp VNTR in the monoamine oxidase A promoter (MAOALPR) in female patients did not yield significant results. Our data support a role of the 472G/A (V158M) COMT polymorphism or a nearby locus in the pathogenesis of panic disorder in women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Interaction between serotonin transporter gene, catechol-O-methyltransferase gene and stressful life events in mood disorders.

It is well established that stress is a risk factor for onset of mood disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that genetic vulnerability may also moderate individual responsiveness to stress. The most compelling evidence regards the polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SERTPR), which has been reported to moderate the risk for depression, in conjunction with life stressors. In the present paper we analysed SERTPR in the onset of mood disorders, along with adverse life events, and other candidate genes: the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A), the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). The sample was composed of 686 Italian subjects, affected by major depression and bipolar disorder. Patients were asked to report about life stressors within the year preceding onset of their first mood-disorder episode and genotyped. A 'case-only' design was employed to investigate the interaction between genes and stressors. COMT was associated with depression following exposure to stressors (chi2=13.05, d.f.=2, p=0.0015) and SERTPR also showed a positive association (chi2=6.70, d.f.=2, p=0.035), mainly among women and among major depressives. The interaction between COMT and SERTPR was also significant (p=0.0005). In our retrospective study SERTPR is hypothesized to lead to the onset of major depression via its influence on reaction to adversities, particularly in females. Moreover, COMT was risk factor for onset of both major depression and bipolar disorder, in conjunction with adversities.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Catechol O-methyltransferase. 9. Mechanism of inactivation by 6-hydroxydopamine.

A series of methylated analogues of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been synthesized and evaluated as irreversible inhibitors of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT). These analogues have been prepared in an effort to elucidate the mechanism involved in the inactivation of this enzyme by 6-OHDA. The analogues prepared had methyl groups incorporated in the 2 and/or 5 positions of 6-OHDA so as to block nucleophilic attakc at these positions in the corresponding oxidation products [6-hydroxydopamine-p-quinone (6-OHDAQ), aminochromes I and II]. Such 2- and/or 5-methylated 6-OHDA analogues were found to be inhibitors of COMT with the inactivation apparently resulting from modification of an essential amino acid residue at the active site of the enzyme. The activity of these analogues as inhibitors of COMT argues against a mechanism involving a 1,4 Michael addition reaction by a protein nucleophile at the 2 or 5 positions on 6-OHDAQ or on the corresponding aminochromes. Instead, an alternative mechanism is proposed to explain these data, which involves attack of a protein nucleophile at the carbonyl group in the 6 position of 6-OHDAQ or at the imine functionality on aminochromes I and II. The results of the present experiments have provided insight into the mechanism involved in inactivation of COMT by 6-OHDA. In addition, this study has provided considerable insight into the chemical reactivity of the electrophilic species generated after oxidation of 6-OHDA.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1975

Catechol O-methyltransferase. 6. Affinity labeling with N-haloacetyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylalkylamines.

Several N-acyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylalkylamines have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inactive catechol 9-methyltransferase (COMT). N-iodoacetyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylamine was found to rapidly and irreversibly inactivate this enzyme. The corresponding N-bromoacetyl derivative also produced inactivation of COMT but at a slower rate than the N-iodoacetyl derivative. The N-acetyl and N-fumaryl derivatives were completely inactive. The inactivation of COMT by these reagents appears to proceed by a unimolecular reaction within a dissociable complex rather than by a nonspecific bimolecular reaction. The proximity of the amino acid residue being modified relative to the site which binds the aromatic portion of these inhibitors was determined using N-iodoacetylphenylakylamines of varying chain length. The number of methylene carbons separating the aromatic ring and the iodoacetamide moiety in these inhibitors did not greatly influence the binding to COMT nor did it affect how rapidly the enzyme was inactivated. From these observations it was concluded that the amino acid moiety being modified by this class of affinity labeling reagents must be relatively close to or part of the site which binds the aromatic region of these inhibitors.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Catechol O-methyltransferase. 12. Affinity labeling the active site with the oxidation products of 5,6-dihydroxyindole.

5,6-Dihydroxyindole (5,6-DHI) and a series of 4- and/or 7-methylated analogues of 5,6-DHI have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inactivate purified rat liver catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT). The inactivation of COMT by these agents could be prevented by excluding oxygen from the incubation of mixtures, indicating the necessity for their oxidation to the corresponding aminochromes. Substrate protection studies and kinetic studies suggested that the loss of enzyme activity resulted from the modification of a crucial amino acid residue at the active site of COMT through reaction with the quinoid oxidation products. The COMT inhibitory activity of the 4- and/or 7-methylated analogues of 5,6-DHI argue against a mechanism involving a 1,4 Michael addition reaction at positions 4 or 7 on the aminochrome. Considering the number of potential electrophilic centers on the basic aminochrome structure, the site of the reaction might change depending on the aromatic substitution pattern. The preferred pathway of reaction may be determined in part by the juxtaposition of the protein nucleophile to the possible sites of attack on the electrophilic ligand but also in part on the reactivity of the electrophilic site which might change with substitution on the aromatic ring.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1982

Catechol O-methyltransferase. 11. Inactivation by 5-hydroxy-3-mercapto-4-methoxybenzoic acid.

5-Hydroxy-3-mercapto-4-methoxybenzoic acid was synthesized as a potential affinity-labeling reagent for catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6). This compound was shown to produce noncompetitive inhibition of COMT when assayed in the presence or absence of the reducing agent, dithiothreitol (DTT). If COMT was assayed in the absence of DTT, the compound was shown to be a more potent inhibitor (Kis = 59.9 +/= 15.9 mumol; Kii = 30.2 +/- 5.8 mumol) than if the assays were conducted in the presence of the reducing agent (Kis = 1140 +/- 233 mumol; Kii = 743 +/- 141 mumol). The potent inhibitory effects produced in the absence of DTT could be partially reversed by the addition of DTT to the incubation mixture or by dialysis of the modified enzyme against DTT -containing buffer. These data suggest that in the absence of DTT, 5-hydroxy-3-mercapto-4-methoxybenzoic acid serves as an affinity-labeling reagent for COMT by reaction of the 3-mercapto group of the ligand with an active-site sulfhydryl group. This ligand-protein disulfide bond can be reduced with DTT with subsequent reversal of the inhibitory effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling studies of a novel, peripherally selective inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase.

A novel series of potent, peripherally selective, and long-acting inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been synthesized. The introduction and nature of heteroatom-containing substituents to the side-chain of the nitrocatechol pharmacophore was found to have a profound effect on both peripheral selectivity and duration of COMT inhibition in the mouse. This approach led to the discovery of 1-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-3-[4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]-1-propanone hydrochloride 35 (BIA 3-335), which was found to possess a superior inhibitory profile in vivo over both the nonselective inhibitor tolcapone 1 and the peripherally selective but short-acting entacapone 2. In this model, 35 retained 75% inhibition of peripheral COMT at 6 h after oral administration, yet significantly, only a minor reduction of central (cerebral) COMT activity was observed. Molecular modeling techniques were applied to review the analysis of the ternary enzyme-inhibitor complex previously determined by X-ray crystallography and to provide a deeper understanding of the structure-activity relationships within this novel series. Furthermore, a computational approach was applied in an effort to elucidate the particular structural factors relevant to the poor blood-brain permeability of 35. In conclusion, the improved biological properties herein reported reveal 35 as a candidate for clinical studies as an adjunct to L-DOPA therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Crystal structure of catechol O-methyltransferase.

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6) is important in the central nervous system because it metabolizes catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine. The enzyme catalyses the transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to one hydroxyl group of catechols. COMT also inactivates catechol-type compounds such as L-DOPA. With selective inhibitors of COMT in combination with L-DOPA, a new principle has been realized in the therapy of Parkinson's disease. Here we solve the atomic structure of COMT to 2.0 A resolution, which provides new insights into the mechanism of the methyl transfer reaction. The co-enzyme-binding domain is strikingly similar to that of an AdoMet-dependent DNA methylase, indicating that all AdoMet methylases may have a common structure.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1984

Platelet phenol sulfotransferase and erythrocyte catechol-O-methyltransferase activities: correlation with methyldopa metabolism.

Methyldopa is metabolized by sulfate conjugation catalyzed by phenol sulfotransferase (PST), O-methylation catalyzed by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and decarboxylation catalyzed by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. These experiments were performed to determine whether individual variations in red blood cell (RBC) COMT and platelet PST activities might reflect variations in the metabolism of methyldopa in man. Methyldopa, 3.5 mg/kg, was taken orally by 28 subjects. Blood samples were obtained from these subjects for the assay of platelet PST and RBC COMT activities, and a 24-hr urine sample was collected for the measurement of methyldopa and its major metabolites. Human platelets contain two independently regulated forms of PST. One form is thermolabile (TL), and the other is thermostable (TS). Methyldopa and alpha-methyldopamine are substrates for the TL but not for the TS form of PST. The results of the experiment showed significant correlations between TL platelet PST activity and the proportion of alpha-methyldopamine excreted as a sulfate conjugate, and between RBC COMT activity and the proportion of methyldopa excreted as an O-methyl metabolite. There was no significant correlation, however, between TL platelet PST activity, and the proportion of methyldopa itself excreted as a sulfate conjugate. These results are compatible with the conclusion that differences among subjects in drug metabolizing enzyme activities are one factor responsible for wide individual variations in methyldopa metabolism in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Low activity allele of catechol-O-methyltransferase gene associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a major role in the breakdown of catecholamines. An amino acid polymorphism (val-108-met) determines high and low activity of the enzyme. A recent study in a small sample of patients with velo-cardio-facial syndrome who had bipolar affective disorder suggested that the Met (low activity) COMT allele might be associated with rapid-cycling in this population. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the Met allele might be associated with rapid cycling bipolar disorder in the wider population. We studied a sample of British Caucasian DSM-IV bipolar patients, of whom 55 met criteria for rapid cycling at some time during the illness and 110 met stringent criteria for a definite non-rapid cycling course. The COMT genotype was determined using a PCR assay. The low activity allele was more frequent in the group of rapid cyclers: 0.55 vs 0.42 (one-tailed chi 2 = 5.12, d.f. = 1, P = 0.012), and bearers of low activity alleles showed a dose-dependent increased risk of lifetime occurrence of rapid cycling: chi 2 test of linear association = 4.84, d.f. = 1, P = 0.014. Our data support the hypothesis that variation in the COMT gene modifies the course of bipolar disorder.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Family-based linkage disequilibrium mapping using SNP marker haplotypes: application to a potential locus for schizophrenia at chromosome 22q11.

Family-based linkage disequilibrium mapping using SNP markers is expected to be a major route to the identification of susceptibility alleles for complex diseases. However there are a number of methodological issues yet to be resolved, including the handling of extended haplotype data and analysis of haplotype transmission in sib-pair or family trio samples. In the present study, we have analysed two dinucleotide repeat and six SNP markers at the COMT locus at chromosome 22q11, a region implicated in psychosis, for transmission distortion in 198 Chinese schizophrenic family trios. When individual markers were analysed using the TDT, two showed modest evidence of transmission distortion (186C/T, P = 0.04; Val158Met, P = 0.01). Using haplotypes of paired markers analysed by the program TRANSMIT, the most significant P value was 0.001, for the Met158Val and 900ins/delC polymorphisms in the COMT gene. The global P value for the haplotypes of all six SNP markers tested was 0.004, largely a result of the excess transmission of two extended haplotypes which differed at the marker 408C/G. The exclusion of this marker from the analysis gave a global P value of 0.002 and produced a five marker haplotype system which was significant at P = 0.0006. This haplotype consisted of the alleles -287G:186C:Val158:900insC:ARVCF930C, which may represent a background haplotype for the transmission of a schizophrenia susceptibility allele at chromosome 22q11. Our results support the hypotheses that either COMT is itself a susceptibility gene, or more likely that this region of chromosome 22 contains a susceptibility gene that is in linkage disequilibrium with COMT alleles. Molecular Psychiatry (2000) 5, 77-84.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Association study of the low-activity allele of catechol-O-methyltransferase and alcoholism using a family-based approach.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a major component of the metabolic pathways of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. The activity of COMT is known to vary within the population; it exists in common high- and low-activity forms that are determined by a Val --> Met polymorphism at amino acid position 108/158 (in soluble or membrane-bound COMT). Recently, the low-activity allele was reported to contribute to the development of late-onset alcoholism in men. The present study extends this study by utilizing a family-based association approach, and by including individuals with early-onset alcoholism. Although no significant transmission disequilibrium was found in the overall sample of 70 parent/offspring trios (TDT = 1.43, P = 0.23), we observed a preferential transmission of the low-activity allele to patients with an early onset of disease (n = 32, TDT = 4.83, P = 0.028). Our results provide further evidence for an involvement of the COMT low-activity allele in the development of alcoholism and demonstrate the need for further studies in large samples of alcoholic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Plasma homovanillic acid: a significant association with alcoholism is independent of a functional polymorphism of the human catechol-O-methyltransferase gene.

The central dopamine system seems to influence addictive disorders. Plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) is an indicator of central dopaminergic activity. In this study the hypothesis that plasma HVA is associated with alcoholism or with delirium tremens (DT) during alcohol withdrawal was tested. A functional genetic polymorphism of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) that participates in converting dopamine into its final metabolite HVA was investigated for an association with alcoholism or DT during alcohol withdrawal. In addition, a relation between the functional polymorphism of COMT and plasma HVA concentrations was studied. Plasma HVA concentrations and COMT genotypes were determined in 142 German alcoholics and 101 German healthy controls. Alcoholic patients were examined after a minimum of 3 weeks after cessation of drinking. Mean plasma HVA concentrations were significantly lower in alcoholic patients compared to healthy controls. A group of alcoholics with a history of DT during alcohol withdrawal (n=62) did not differ significantly in plasma HVA concentrations from alcoholics with a history of only mild withdrawal symptoms (n=67). The functional polymorphism of the human COMT gene was neither significantly associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or DT during alcohol withdrawal nor with plasma HVA concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Changing dopaminergic activity through different pathways: consequences for renal sodium excretion, regional blood flow and oxygen tension in the rat.

Dopamine (DA) is an intrarenal natriuretic hormone involved in sodium homeostasis, but the regulation of renal dopaminergic tonus is unclear. We evaluated different pathways for elevating DA tonus to determine which are important for the ability of the kidney to produce natriuresis and studied the accompanying effects on regional renal blood flow and oxygen tension. Thus, we compared the effects of a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)-inhibitor, an unspecific monoamine oxidase (MAO)-inhibitor, a D1-like receptor agonist and a DA precursor in anaesthetized rats. Sodium excretion increased sixfold after COMT inhibition, eightfold after administration of the D1-like agonist, whereas it was similar to control after MAO inhibition and infusion of DA precursor. Urinary dopamine excretion increased 42% by COMT inhibition, 55% by MAO inhibition and 12-fold after DA precursor, but remained unchanged after infusion of the D1-like agonist. The D1-like receptor agonist led to a 38% increase in the cortical blood flow and a 21% increase in outer medullary blood flow. Regional renal blood flow was unaffected by all other treatments. Cortical and outer medullary oxygen tension was unaffected in all treatment groups. To conclude, the natriuretic and haemodynamic properties of an elevation in DA tonus depends on the route by which the elevation occurred. Systemic administration of a D1-like receptor agonist, results in a natriuretic response which, as opposed to the natriuresis seen after COMT inhibition, coincides with an increase in renal cortical and outer medullary blood flow. Precursor delivery or MAO inhibition did not change neither urinary sodium excretion nor renal blood flow.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Substrate preferences of O-methyltransferases in alfalfa suggest new pathways for 3-O-methylation of monolignols.

Measurement of relative O-methyltransferase activities against all potential substrates in the monolignol pathway in developing alfalfa stem extracts revealed activities in the order: caffeoyl CoA > caffeoyl alcohol > 5-hydroxyferulic acid > caffeoyl aldehyde > 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol > 5-hydroxyferuloyl CoA > 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde > caffeic acid. Maxima for all activities occurred in the seventh internode. In stem extracts from transgenic alfalfa with antisense downregulated caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), activities with all substrates except for the two coenzyme A esters were unaffected. In contrast, downregulation of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) reduced activities against the non-esterifed substrates in the order: 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol > 5-hydroxyferulic acid and caffeoyl alcohol > caffeoyl aldehyde > caffeic acid > 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. Recombinant COMT expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited the highest V(max)/K(m) values with 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde and caffeoyl aldehyde, and the lowest with caffeic acid. These results indicate that COMT is unlikely to methylate caffeic acid during lignin biosynthesis in vivo, and provide enzymatic evidence for an alternative pathway to monolignols involving methylation of caffeoyl aldehyde and/or caffeoyl alcohol by COMT. The concept of independent pathways to guaiacyl and syringyl monolignols is discussed.

Catechol O-Methyltransferase↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of the mutant Drosophila N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion-1 protein in comatose reveals molecular correlates of the behavioural paralysis.

NEM-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) is an ATPase required for many intracellular membrane trafficking steps. Recent studies have suggested that NSF alters the conformation of the SNAP receptors (SNAREs) to permit their interaction, or to uncouple them after they interact. Most organisms have a single NSF gene product but Drosophila express two highly related isoforms, dNSF-1 and dNSF-2. dNSF-1 is encoded by the gene comatose (comt), first identified as the locus of a temperature-sensitive paralytic mutation. Here we show that dNSF-1 is most abundant in the nervous system and can be detected in larval and adult CNS. Subcellular fractionation revealed that dNSF-1 was enriched in a vesicle fraction along with the synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin. comt flies maintained at the non-permissive temperature rapidly accumulate sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-resistant SNARE complexes at the restrictive temperature, with concomitant translocation of dNSF-1 from cytosol and membrane fractions into a Triton X-100 insoluble fraction. The long recovery of comt flies after heat shock induced paralysis correlated with the irreversibility of this translocation. Interestingly, while dNSF-1 also translocates in comt(TP7) larvae, there is no associated neurophysiological phenotype at the neuromuscular junction (nmj) or accumulation of SDS-resistant complexes in the CNS. Together, these results suggest that dNSF-1 is required for adult neuronal function, but that in the larval nmj function may be maintained by other isoforms.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Comparisons of brain, uterus, and liver mRNA expression for cytochrome p450s, DNA methyltransferase-1, and catechol-o-methyltransferase in prepubertal female Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to a mixture of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.

Non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that exert their toxicity mostly through activation of the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and are referred to as AhR agonists. The objective was to study, by real time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the effects of postnatal exposure to a reconstituted mixture of AhR agonists present in breast milk (3 non-ortho PCBs, 6 PCDDs, and 7 PCDFs, referred to here-in-after as AhRM) on mRNA expression of estrogen receptor (ERalpha), enzymes involved with the metabolism of estrogens [catechol-o-methyltransferase (Comt), cytochrome P450 (Cyp)1A1, 1B1 and 2B1], and DNA methyltransferase-1 (Dnmt1), in brain areas, liver and uterus of immature female rats. Neonates were exposed by gavage during postnatal day (PND) 1-20 with dosages equivalent to 1, 10, 100, and 1000 times the estimated average human exposure level, and were sacrificed at PND 21. None of the end points were affected in uterine cross-sections, or in samples of uterine tissue layers collected by laser capture microdissection. At 1000x, the AhRM reduced Dnmt1 mRNA abundance to 28% and 32% of control in the liver and hypothalamus, respectively. In the brain, Cyp1A1 was increased (409%) but ERalpha was reduced (66%). Similarly, mRNA abundance for Comt isoforms was reduced in the liver (45%) and brain areas (55-70%). AhRM at 100x, the lowest effective dose, exerted a 220% increase in brain cortex Comt [membrane bound (Mb)], a 219% increase in hepatic Cyp1B1, and a 63% decrease in hepatic Comt (soluble (S)+Mb). These results support the possibility that early exposure to environmental contaminants could lead to effects mediated by changes in DNA methylation and/or estrogen metabolism and signaling.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Epinephrine is metabolized by the spinal meninges of monkeys and pigs.

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine commonly is added to epidural opioids and local anesthetics, however, little is known about the fate of epidurally administered epinephrine. Studies have identified the epinephrine metabolizing enzyme, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), in the cranial meninges of several species. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the spinal meninges also contain COMT and are capable of metabolizing epinephrine. If so, then the spinal meninges may have an important impact in limiting the bioavailability of epinephrine in both the spinal cord and epidural space. METHODS: Spinal meningeal specimens measuring 4 cm2 were obtained from monkeys (M. nemestrina) and farm-bred pigs and were incubated in bicarbonate-buffered mock cerebrospinal fluid. Epinephrine (200 micrograms base) was added at t = 0, and 200 min later, the mock cerebrospinal fluid was collected for metanephrine analysis. In separate experiments, pig meningeal specimens were separated into dura mater, pia-arachnoid mater, and pia mater, and the experiments were repeated to determine which meninx had the greatest COMT activity. RESULTS: Metanephrine was produced by monkey meninges at the rate of 0.47 ng.min-1.cm-2 and by pig meninges at the rate of 0.23 ng.min-1.cm-2 (P > 0.05). The pia-arachnoid meninx produced metanephrine at a greater rate (4.48 +/- 0.46 ng.min-1.mg-1 tissue) than did the pia mater (1.3 +/- 0.15 ng.min-1.mg-1 tissue) or dura mater alone (1.82 +/- 0.23 ng.min-1.mg-1 tissue). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the functional presence of COMT in the spinal meninges of pigs and monkeys and suggest that the spinal meninges may limit the spinal bioavailability of epidurally or intrathecally administered epinephrine.

Animals↗