Serotonin is produced from dietary tryptophan by the action of tryptophan hydroxylase and dopa decarboxylase in chromaffin cells and neurons. Platelets acquire serotonin on passage through the gut where the local concentration is high.
The degradation pathway of serotonin is important from the view of carcinoid syndrome. Monoamine oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase convert serotonin to 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid - 5HIAA. 5HIAA is excreted in the urine and thus provides a ready means of assessing serotonin turnover.
Serotonin is found in:
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