Record Information
Version1.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2021-11-19 04:57:34 UTC
Update Date2024-10-15 21:52:50 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0033653
Metabolite Identification
Common NameHomovanillic acid
DescriptionHomovanillic acid (HVA), also known as homovanillate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as methoxyphenols. Methoxyphenols are compounds containing a methoxy group attached to the benzene ring of a phenol moiety. HVA is also classified as a catechol. HVA is a major catecholamine metabolite that is produced by a consecutive action of monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase on dopamine. HVA is typically elevated in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors (such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors). HVA levels are also used in monitoring patients who have been treated for these kinds tumors. HVA levels may also be altered in disorders of catecholamine metabolism such as monoamine oxidase-A (MOA) deficiency. MOA deficiency can cause decreased urinary HVA values, while a deficiency of dopamine beta-hydrolase (the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine) can cause elevated urinary HVA values. Within humans, HVA participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, HVA and pyrocatechol can be biosynthesized from 3,4-dihydroxybenzeneacetic acid and guaiacol. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme known as catechol O-methyltransferase. In addition, HVA can be biosynthesized from homovanillin through the action of the enzyme known aldehyde dehydrogenase. HVA has recently been found in a number of beers and appears to arise from the fermentation process (https://doi.org/10.1006/fstl.1999.0593). HVA is also a metabolite of Bifidobacterium (PMID: 24958563 ) and the bacterial breakdown of dietary flavonoids. Dietary flavonols commonly found in tomatoes, onions, and tea, can lead to significantly elevated levels of urinary HVA (PMID: 20933512 ). Likewise, the microbial digestion of hydroxytyrosol (found in olive oil) can also lead to elevated levels of HVA in humans (PMID: 11929304 ).
Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acidChEBI
3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetateChEBI
3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acidChEBI
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzeneacetic acidChEBI
HVAChEBI
Vanillacetic acidChEBI
(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acetateGenerator
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzeneacetateGenerator
VanillacetateGenerator
HomovanillateGenerator
3-Methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylacetic acidHMDB
4-Hydroxy 3-methoxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
HomovanilateHMDB
Homovanilic acidHMDB
Homovanillinic acidHMDB
VanilacetateHMDB
Vanilacetic acidHMDB
3 Methoxy 4 hydroxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
Acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylaceticHMDB
Acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylaceticHMDB
4 Hydroxy 3 methoxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
Acid, homovanillicHMDB
3'-Methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
3’-methoxy-4’-hydroxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
4'-Hydroxy-3'-methoxy-phenylacetic acidHMDB
2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acidHMDB
4'-Hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenylacetic acidHMDB
Molecular FormulaC9H10O4
Average Mass182.1733
Monoisotopic Mass182.057908808
IUPAC Name2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid
Traditional Namehomovanillic acid
CAS Registry NumberNot Available
SMILES
COC1=CC(CC(O)=O)=CC=C1O
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C9H10O4/c1-13-8-4-6(5-9(11)12)2-3-7(8)10/h2-4,10H,5H2,1H3,(H,11,12)
InChI KeyQRMZSPFSDQBLIX-UHFFFAOYSA-N