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COMT Gene

Meaning

The COMT gene, short for Catechol-O-Methyltransferase, provides the instructions for making an enzyme that is critical for the breakdown and metabolism of catecholamines, which include neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, as well as catechol estrogens. Variations, particularly the common Val158Met polymorphism, significantly influence the efficiency of this enzyme’s activity. This genetic factor has profound implications for an individual’s stress response, cognitive function, and hormone detoxification capacity.