Felinine
Felinine, also known as -2-amino-3-propanoic acid, is a chemical compound and amino acid found in cat urine and a precursor via microbial lyase of the putative cat pheromone and thiol called 3-mercapto-3-methylbutan-1-ol.
Felinine is excreted by selected Felidae species including bobcats, Chinese desert cats, the kodkod, and domestic cats. Felinine synthesis occurs in the liver through a condensation reaction of glutathione and isopentenyl pyrophosphate to form 3-mercaptobutanolglutathionine. In the kidney 3-MBG is hydrolysed and felinine partly acetylated. Cauxin assists in the hydrolysis of the dipeptide to increase the concentration of urinary felinine.
Urine of domestic cats may contain a series of felinine-containing compounds including free felinine, acetylfelinine, felinylglycine and 3-MBG.
