COMT

COMT, catechol-O-methyltransferase, alias catechol-O-methyltransferase. It is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of catecholamines, which is distributed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues, and plays an important role in neurotransmitter homeostasis and regulation.
Its mechanism of action is to regulate the concentration of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap by catalyzing the methyl transfer of S-adenosylmethionine to the hydroxyl group at the 3-position of the benzene ring of catechol or catecholamine.
Genetic polymorphisms in COMT have a significant effect on enzyme activity and function, the most common polymorphism being Val158Met (rs4680) on chromosome 22, where the amino acid at position 158 changes from valine (Val) to methionine (Met). This polymorphism leads to differences in COMT enzyme activity, which in turn affects an individual's response to medications and the risk of certain disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. COMT is important in the pathogenesis and treatment of several diseases such as Parkinson's disease.