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COMT catechol-O-methyltransferase [ Homo sapiens (human) ]

Gene ID: 1312, updated on 21-Jun-2025
Official Symbol
COMTprovided by HGNC
Official Full Name
catechol-O-methyltransferaseprovided by HGNC
Primary source
HGNC:HGNC:2228
See related
Ensembl:ENSG00000093010 MIM:116790; AllianceGenome:HGNC:2228
Gene type
protein coding
RefSeq status
REVIEWED
Organism
Homo sapiens
Lineage
Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo
Also known as
HEL-S-98n
Summary
Catechol-O-methyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to catecholamines, including the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. This O-methylation results in one of the major degradative pathways of the catecholamine transmitters. In addition to its role in the metabolism of endogenous substances, COMT is important in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, asthma, and Parkinson disease. COMT is found in two forms in tissues, a soluble form (S-COMT) and a membrane-bound form (MB-COMT). The differences between S-COMT and MB-COMT reside within the N-termini. Several transcript variants are formed through the use of alternative translation initiation sites and promoters. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2008]
Expression
Ubiquitous expression in placenta (RPKM 32.2), adrenal (RPKM 24.9) and 25 other tissues See more
Orthologs
NEW
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Try the new Transcript table
See COMT in Genome Data Viewer
Location:
22q11.21
Exon count:
8
Annotation release Status Assembly Chr Location
RS_2024_08 current GRCh38.p14 (GCF_000001405.40) 22 NC_000022.11 (19941772..19969975)
RS_2024_08 current T2T-CHM13v2.0 (GCF_009914755.1) 22 NC_060946.1 (20319463..20347602)
RS_2024_09 previous assembly GRCh37.p13 (GCF_000001405.25) 22 NC_000022.10 (19929295..19957498)

Chromosome 22 - NC_000022.11Genomic Context describing neighboring genes Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19878079-19878587 Neighboring gene OCT4-NANOG-H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19878588-19879096 Neighboring gene OCT4-NANOG-H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19879097-19879604 Neighboring gene thioredoxin reductase 2 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19879605-19880113 Neighboring gene ReSE screen-validated silencer GRCh37_chr22:19880414-19880618 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19883730-19884368 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19889902-19890838 Neighboring gene ribosomal protein L8 pseudogene 5 Neighboring gene BRD4-independent group 4 enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19894389-19895588 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19904338-19904948 Neighboring gene endogenous retrovirus group K member 24 Gag polyprotein-like Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19927919-19928489 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19928490-19929059 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13467 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13468 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13469 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 18664 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 18665 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19931341-19931910 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19931911-19932479 Neighboring gene Sharpr-MPRA regulatory region 10527 Neighboring gene Sharpr-MPRA regulatory region 2516 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19940787-19941410 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19941411-19942032 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19942297-19942948 Neighboring gene ReSE screen-validated silencer GRCh37_chr22:19943251-19943418 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19949617-19950332 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19950333-19951048 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19951049-19951764 Neighboring gene microRNA 4761 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19970318-19971255 Neighboring gene ARVCF delta catenin family member Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19971256-19972192 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19973130-19974065 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13470 Neighboring gene uncharacterized LOC124905082 Neighboring gene H3K27ac-H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:19998201-19999025 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13471 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid silent region 13472 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 18666 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 18667 Neighboring gene H3K4me1 hESC enhancer GRCh37_chr22:20018676-20019372 Neighboring gene ATAC-STARR-seq lymphoblastoid active region 18668 Neighboring gene transport and golgi organization 2 homolog Neighboring gene microRNA 185

  • Project title: Tissue-specific circular RNA induction during human fetal development
  • Description: 35 human fetal samples from 6 tissues (3 - 7 replicates per tissue) collected between 10 and 20 weeks gestational time were sequenced using Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA
  • BioProject: PRJNA270632
  • Publication: PMID 26076956
  • Analysis date: Mon Apr 2 22:54:59 2018

GeneRIFs: Gene References Into Functions

What's a GeneRIF?

Associated conditions

Description Tests
Panic disorder 1
MedGen: C1868649 OMIM: 167870 GeneReviews: Not available
Compare labs
Schizophrenia
MedGen: C0036341 OMIM: 181500 GeneReviews: Not available
Compare labs

EBI GWAS Catalog

Description
An atlas of genetic influences on human blood metabolites.
EBI GWAS Catalog

Protein interactions

Protein Gene Interaction Pubs
Vpr vpr HIV-1 Vpr is identified to have a physical interaction with catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in human HEK293 and/or Jurkat cell lines by using affinity tagging and purification mass spectrometry analyses PubMed

Go to the HIV-1, Human Interaction Database

Products Interactant Other Gene Complex Source Pubs Description

Markers

Gene Ontology Provided by GOA

Function Evidence Code Pubs
enables O-methyltransferase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
enables O-methyltransferase activity TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
PubMed 
enables catechol O-methyltransferase activity IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
enables catechol O-methyltransferase activity IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
PubMed 
enables catechol O-methyltransferase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
enables catechol O-methyltransferase activity TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
enables magnesium ion binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
enables metal ion binding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
enables methyltransferase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
enables methyltransferase activity TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
enables protein binding IPI
Inferred from Physical Interaction
more info
PubMed 
enables transferase activity IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
Process Evidence Code Pubs
acts_upstream_of_or_within artery development IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within behavioral fear response IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in catecholamine catabolic process IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
involved_in catecholamine catabolic process IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
PubMed 
acts_upstream_of_or_within catecholamine metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in catecholamine metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within cellular response to cocaine IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within cellular response to phosphate starvation IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within cerebellar cortex morphogenesis IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within cholesterol efflux IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within cognition IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within detection of temperature stimulus involved in sensory perception of pain IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in developmental process IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within dopamine catabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in dopamine catabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in dopamine catabolic process TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
involved_in dopamine metabolic process IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within dopamine metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within dopamine secretion IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within exploration behavior IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within fear response IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within gene expression IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within glomerulus development IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within glycogen metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within habituation IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within kidney development IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within learning IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within learning or memory IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in lipid metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within mastication IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within memory IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in methylation IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
PubMed 
involved_in methylation IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
involved_in methylation TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within multicellular organism growth IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within multicellular organismal response to stress IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within norepinephrine metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within norepinephrine secretion IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within prostaglandin metabolic process IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within regulation of blood pressure IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within renal albumin absorption IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within renal filtration IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within renal sodium excretion IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within renin secretion into blood stream IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to amphetamine IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to angiotensin IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to corticosterone IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to cytokine IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to dopamine IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to food IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to hypoxia IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to oxidative stress IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to salt IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to stress IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to temperature stimulus IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to toxic substance IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to wounding IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within response to xenobiotic stimulus IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within startle response IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within synaptic transmission, dopaminergic IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
acts_upstream_of_or_within visual learning IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
Component Evidence Code Pubs
is_active_in axon IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
located_in cytoplasm IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
located_in cytosol IDA
Inferred from Direct Assay
more info
PubMed 
is_active_in cytosol IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
located_in cytosol TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
is_active_in dendrite IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
located_in extracellular exosome HDA PubMed 
located_in membrane HDA PubMed 
is_active_in membrane IBA
Inferred from Biological aspect of Ancestor
more info
 
located_in membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
located_in plasma membrane IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
located_in plasma membrane TAS
Traceable Author Statement
more info
 
located_in synapse IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
is_active_in vesicle IEA
Inferred from Electronic Annotation
more info
 
Preferred Names
catechol O-methyltransferase
Names
epididymis secretory sperm binding protein Li 98n
testicular tissue protein Li 42
NP_000745.1
NP_001128633.1
NP_001128634.1
NP_001349757.1
NP_009294.1

NEW Try the new Transcript table

RefSeqs maintained independently of Annotated Genomes

These reference sequences exist independently of genome builds. Explain

These reference sequences are curated independently of the genome annotation cycle, so their versions may not match the RefSeq versions in the current genome build. Identify version mismatches by comparing the version of the RefSeq in this section to the one reported in Genomic regions, transcripts, and products above.

Genomic

  1. NG_011526.1 RefSeqGene

    Range
    5001..33236
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics), LRG_1010

mRNA and Protein(s)

  1. NM_000754.4NP_000745.1  catechol O-methyltransferase isoform MB-COMT

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_000745.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (1, also known as MB-COMT) represents the predominant transcript and encodes the longer isoform (MB-COMT). Variants 1, 2, 3, and 5 all encode isoform MB-COMT and may also make the shorter isoform S-COMT at a low level. MB-COMT is a membrane-bound protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC005663, AK290440, BX461394
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS13770.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    A8MPV9, P21964, Q6IB07, Q6ICE6, Q9BWC7
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A140VJG8, B8XPJ8
    Related
    ENSP00000354511.6, ENST00000361682.11
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    COG4122
    Location:51264
    YrrM; Predicted O-methyltransferase YrrM [General function prediction only]
  2. NM_001135161.2NP_001128633.1  catechol O-methyltransferase isoform MB-COMT

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_001128633.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (2) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1, 2, 3, and 5 all encode isoform MB-COMT and may also make the shorter isoform S-COMT at a low level. MB-COMT is a membrane-bound protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC005663, AK290440, BE386545
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS13770.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    A8MPV9, P21964, Q6IB07, Q6ICE6, Q9BWC7
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A140VJG8, B8XPJ8
    Related
    ENSP00000403958.1, ENST00000412786.5
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    COG4122
    Location:51264
    YrrM; Predicted O-methyltransferase YrrM [General function prediction only]
  3. NM_001135162.2NP_001128634.1  catechol O-methyltransferase isoform MB-COMT

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_001128634.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (3) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1, 2, 3, and 5 all encode isoform MB-COMT and may also make the shorter isoform S-COMT at a low level. MB-COMT is a membrane-bound protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC005663, AK290440, BE728779
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS13770.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    A8MPV9, P21964, Q6IB07, Q6ICE6, Q9BWC7
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A140VJG8, B8XPJ8
    Related
    ENSP00000385150.3, ENST00000406520.7
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    COG4122
    Location:51264
    YrrM; Predicted O-methyltransferase YrrM [General function prediction only]
  4. NM_001362828.2NP_001349757.1  catechol O-methyltransferase isoform MB-COMT

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (5) differs in the 5' UTR compared to variant 1. Variants 1, 2, 3, and 5 all encode isoform MB-COMT and may also make the shorter isoform S-COMT at a low level. MB-COMT is a membrane-bound protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC000090, AC005663
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS13770.1
    UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot
    A8MPV9, P21964, Q6IB07, Q6ICE6, Q9BWC7
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    A0A140VJG8, B8XPJ8
    Related
    ENSP00000385917.1, ENST00000403710.5
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    COG4122
    Location:51264
    YrrM; Predicted O-methyltransferase YrrM [General function prediction only]
  5. NM_007310.3NP_009294.1  catechol O-methyltransferase isoform S-COMT

    See identical proteins and their annotated locations for NP_009294.1

    Status: REVIEWED

    Description
    Transcript Variant: This variant (4, also known as S-COMT) contains a shorter 5' UTR and a translation start site which lies 50 codons downstream compared to that of variant 1. The resulting isoform (S-COMT) is shorter at the N-terminus compared to isoform MB-COMT. S-COMT is a soluble protein.
    Source sequence(s)
    AC005663, AK290440
    Consensus CDS
    CCDS46663.1
    UniProtKB/TrEMBL
    B8XPJ7
    Related
    ENSP00000416778.1, ENST00000449653.5
    Conserved Domains (1) summary
    COG4122
    Location:1177
    YrrM; Predicted O-methyltransferase YrrM [General function prediction only]

RefSeqs of Annotated Genomes: GCF_000001405.40-RS_2024_08

The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain

Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

Genomic

  1. NC_000022.11 Reference GRCh38.p14 Primary Assembly

    Range
    19941772..19969975
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)

Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

Genomic

  1. NC_060946.1 Alternate T2T-CHM13v2.0

    Range
    20319463..20347602
    Download
    GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics)