Biogenic amine 류에는 catecholamine, indoleamine 그리고 histamine이 있으며, 동물의 다양한 생리 현상과 행동양식 조절에 중요한 역할을 담당한다. 이중 indoleamine 류인 세로토닌(serotonin혹은 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)의 경우 최근 들어 그 수용체 아형의 유전자 규명과 발현 조절, 중추신경계 및 표적 기관에서의 역할, 특히 항우울 효과와 같이 행동 및 심리적인 영향 등에 대해

Biogenic monoamines are divided into three categories; catecholamines(dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine), indoleamine(serotonin and melatonin) and histamine. Among them, serotonin has been intensively studied by many researchers with a broad spectrum of biomedical interests. A concise overview of serotonin-related topics such as biosynthetic pathway, receptor subtypes, and roles in reproduction will be provided. In particular, serotonergic efffect on the regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad hormonal axis and sexual behaviors will be emphasized. Though our Knowledge on the biological roles and its clinical applications are still limited, these topics are quite promising subjects which will be helpful for improving our 'quality of life' in near future.

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