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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Adrenaline

The adrenal medulla hormone for acute stress: it raises glucose and fatty acids and speeds up the heart.

Updated 2026-11-01

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## Key facts

- PNMT makes it in the adrenal medulla from noradrenaline; PNMT depends on cortisol.
- Receptors: β1 (heart), β2 (bronchi, liver, muscle) and β3 (fat) through Gs/cAMP; α1 through Gq/IP₃; α2 through Gi.
- Metabolic effects: glycogenolysis in liver and muscle, lipolysis, more glucagon and less insulin (α2 on the beta cell).
- COMT and MAO break it down to metanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid.

**Also called**
Epinephrine

**Formula**
C9H13NO3

**PubChem**
[CID 5816](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5816)

## Structure

- A catechol (ring with two hydroxyls) joined to an ethanolamine chain with a methyl group on the nitrogen.
- That methyl, added by PNMT, is what sets it apart from noradrenaline.

## Clinical notes

- It is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
- Phaeochromocytoma secretes too much: hypertensive crises, hyperglycaemia and high metanephrines.
- It is one of the first counter-regulatory hormones in hypoglycaemia; beta-blockers can mask the tremor and palpitations.

## Pathways

- [Glycogen metabolism](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/glycogen-metabolism/)
- [Catecholamine synthesis and breakdown](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/catecholamine-synthesis-and-breakdown/)

## Related conditions

- [Phaeochromocytoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/phaeochromocytoma/)
- [Anaphylaxis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/anaphylaxis/)

## Related

- [Catecholamines: synthesis and breakdown](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/catecholamines-synthesis-and-breakdown/)
- [Tyrosine](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/tyrosine/)
- [G protein-coupled receptors and cAMP](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/g-protein-coupled-receptors-and-camp/)
- [IP₃, DAG and calcium pathway](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/ip-dag-and-calcium-pathway/)
- [Glycogen phosphorylase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/glycogen-phosphorylase/)
- [Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/hormone-sensitive-lipase/)
- [Cortisol](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/cortisol/)
- [Exercise metabolism](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/topics/exercise-metabolism/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which enzyme turns noradrenaline into adrenaline, and which hormone induces it?

PNMT, induced by cortisol arriving from the adrenal cortex.

## Why does adrenaline, unlike glucagon, mobilise muscle glycogen?

Because muscle has β2-adrenergic receptors and no glucagon receptors.

## How does adrenaline lower insulin secretion?

Through Gi-coupled α2 receptors on the beta cell, which lower cAMP.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Epinephrine (CID 5816)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5816) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [Catecholamine blood test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003561.htm) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [PNMT: Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (human)](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P11086/entry) (UniProt, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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