catalytic activity:S-adenosyl-L-methionine + a catechol = S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine + a guaiacol.,cofactor:Binds 1 magnesium ion per subunit.,function:Catalyzes the O-methylation, and thereby the inactivation, of catecholamine neurotransmitters and catechol hormones. Also shortens the biological half-lives of certain neuroactive drugs, like L-DOPA, alpha-methyl DOPA and isoproterenol.,mass spectrometry: PubMed:8020475,online information:Catechol-O-methyl transferase entry,polymorphism:Low enzyme activity alleles are associated with genetic susceptibility to alcoholism [MIM:103780].,polymorphism:Two alleles, COMT*1 or COMT*H with Val-158 and COMT*2 or COMT*L with Met-158 are responsible for a three to four-fold difference in enzymatic activity.,PTM:The N-terminus is blocked.,similarity:Belongs to the mammalian catechol-O-methyltransferase family.,tissue specificity:Brain, liver, placenta, lymphocytes and erythrocytes.,
[Isoform Soluble]: Cytoplasm .; [Isoform Membrane-bound]: Cell membrane ; Single-pass type II membrane protein ; Extracellular side .
Brain, liver, placenta, lymphocytes and erythrocytes.