Dopamine 0-oxidase

The major routes for the synthesis and metabolism of noradrenaline in adrenergic nerves [375], together with the names of the enzymes concerned, are shown in Figure 3.1. Under normal conditions the rate controlling step in noradrenaline synthesis is the first, and the tissue noradrenaline content can be markedly lowered by inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase [376]. Tissue noradrenaline levels can also be lowered, but to a lesser extent, by inhibition of dopamine-(3-oxidase [377, 378]. However, the noradrenaline depletion produced by guanethidine is unlikely to result from inhibition of synthesis, since intra-cisternal injection of guanethidine does not prevent the accumulation of noradrenaline which follows brain monoamine oxidase inhibition, even though it does cause depletion of brain noradrenaline [323]. 

Although numerous compounds have been tested as inhibitors of tyrosine hydroxylase 1379], no guanidines appear yet among them. Guanethidine itself has no significant effect on DOPA decarboxylase [323, 380] nor on dopamine-/3-oxidase [259,381,382]. Neither guanoxan, which is also a potent noradrenaline... 

The general scheme of the biosynthesis of catecholamines was first postulated in 1939 (29) and finally confirmed in 1964 (Fig. 2) (30). Although not shown in Figure 2, in some cases the amino acid phenylalanine [63-91-2] can serve as a precursor it is converted in the liver to (-)-tyrosine [60-18-4] by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Four enzymes are involved in E formation in the adrenal medulla and certain neurons in the brain tyrosine hydroxylase, dopa decarboxylase (also referred to as L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase), dopamine-P-hydroxylase, and phenylethanolamine iV-methyltransferase. Neurons that form DA as their transmitter lack the last two of these enzymes, and sympathetic neurons and other neurons in the central nervous system that form NE as a transmitter do not contain phenylethanolamine N-methyl-transferase. The component enzymes and their properties involved in the formation of catecholamines have been purified to homogeneity and their properties examined. The human genes for tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine- 3-oxidase and dopa decarboxylase, have been cloned (31,32). It is anticipated that further studies on the molecular structure and expression of these enzymes should yield interesting information about their regulation and function. 

A number of other approaches to enhancing the effectiveness of L-dopa is possible. One suggestion is to replace it by a derivative which is more easily able to penetrate to the brain [205, 206]. Inhibition of dopamine- 3-oxidase, the enzyme converting DA to NA does not increase L-dopa effectiveness [207] which is understandable as brain NA formation from administered L-dopa is probably quantitatively relatively unimportant [208]. 

Dopamine. Dopamine (DA) (2) is an intermediate in the synthesis of NE and Epi from tyrosine. DA is localized to the basal ganglia of the brain and is involved in the regulation of motor activity and pituitary hormone release. The actions of DA are terminated by conversion to dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) by monoamine oxidase-A and -B (MAO-A and -B) in the neuron following reuptake, or conversion to homovanillic acid (HVA) through the sequential actions of catechol-0-methyl transferase (COMT) and MAO-A and -B in the synaptic cleft. 

Future Outlook for Antidepressants. Third-generation antidepressants are expected to combine superior efficacy and improved safety, but are unlikely to reduce the onset of therapeutic action in depressed patients (179). Many dmgs in clinical development as antidepressive agents focus on estabhshed properties such as inhibition of serotonin, dopamine, and/or noradrenaline reuptake, agonistic or antagonistic action at various serotonin receptor subtypes, presynaptic tt2-adrenoceptor antagonism, or specific monoamine—oxidase type A inhibition. Examples include buspirone (3) (only... 

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. MAOIs inactivate the enzyme MAO, which is responsible for the oxidative deamination of a variety of endogenous and exogenous substances. Among the endogenous substances are the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The prototype MAOI is iproniazid [54-92-2] (25), originally tested as an antitubercular dmg and a close chemical relative of the effective antitubercular, isoniazid [54-85-3] (26). Tubercular patients exhibited mood elevation, although no reHef of their tuberculosis, following chronic administration of iproniazid. In... 

L-Tyrosine metabohsm and catecholamine biosynthesis occur largely in the brain, central nervous tissue, and endocrine system, which have large pools of L-ascorbic acid (128). Catecholamine, a neurotransmitter, is the precursor in the formation of dopamine, which is converted to noradrenaline and adrenaline. The precise role of ascorbic acid has not been completely understood. Ascorbic acid has important biochemical functions with various hydroxylase enzymes in steroid, dmg, andhpid metabohsm. The cytochrome P-450 oxidase catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol to bUe acids and the detoxification process of aromatic dmgs and other xenobiotics, eg, carcinogens, poUutants, and pesticides, in the body (129). The effects of L-ascorbic acid on histamine metabohsm related to scurvy and anaphylactic shock have been investigated (130). Another ceUular reaction involving ascorbic acid is the conversion of folate to tetrahydrofolate. Ascorbic acid has many biochemical functions which affect the immune system of the body (131). 

Copper is one of the twenty-seven elements known to be essential to humans (69—72) (see Mineral nutrients). The daily recommended requirement for humans is 2.5—5.0 mg (73). Copper is probably second only to iron as an oxidation catalyst and oxygen carrier in humans (74). It is present in many proteins, such as hemocyanin [9013-32-3] galactose oxidase [9028-79-9] ceruloplasmin [9031 -37-2] dopamine -hydroxylase, monoamine oxidase [9001-66-5] superoxide dismutase [9054-89-17, and phenolase (75,76). Copper aids in photosynthesis and other oxidative processes in plants. 

Fig. 2. Biosynthetic pathway for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The enzymes cataly2ing the reaction are (1) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), tetrahydrobiopterin and O2 are also involved (2) dopa decarboxylase (DDC) with pyridoxal phosphate (3) dopamine-P-oxidase (DBH) with ascorbate, O2 in the adrenal medulla, brain, and peripheral nerves and (4) phenethanolamine A/-methyltransferase (PNMT) with. Cadenosylmethionine in the adrenal...

Methoxatin, now known as coenzyme PQQ, was originally obtained from methylotrophic bacteria but is now known to be a mammalian cofactor, for example, for lysyl oxidase and dopamine p-hydroxylase. The first synthesis of this rare compound was accomplished by the route outlined below. In the retrosynthetic analysis both of the heterocyclic rings were disconnected using directly keyed transforms. 

The principal mechanism for terminating dopamine signaling is reuptake by the presynaptic neuron via the dopamine transporter (DAT). Dopamine that is not taken up is metabolized by the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyl transferase... 

Ubiquitous mitochondrial monoamine oxidase [monoamine oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating) (flavin-containing) EC 1.4.3.4 MAO] exists in two forms, namely type A and type B [ monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B]. They are responsible for oxidative deamination of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, including neurotransmitters, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine (DA), and serotonin and vasoactive amines, such as tyramine and phenylethylamine. Their nonselec-tive and selective inhibitors ( selective MAO-A and -B inhibitors) are employed for the treatment of depressive illness and Parkinson s disease (PD). 

Methylphenidate like cocaine largely acts by blocking reuptake of monoamines into the presynaptic terminal. Methylphenidate administration produces an increase in the steady-state (tonic) levels of monoamines within the synaptic cleft. Thus, DAT inhibitors, such as methylphenidate, increase extracellular levels of monoamines. In contrast, they decrease the concentrations of the monoamine metabolites that depend upon monoamine oxidase (MAO), that is, HVA, but not catecholamine-o-methyltransferase (COMT), because reuptake by the transporter is required for the formation of these metabolites. By stimulating presynaptic autoreceptors, methylphenidate induced increase in dopamine transmission can also reduce monoamine synthesis, inhibit monoamine neuron firing and reduce subsequent phasic dopamine release. 

The synthesis and metabolism of trace amines and monoamine neurotransmitters largely overlap [1]. The trace amines PEA, TYR and TRP are synthesized in neurons by decarboxylation of precursor amino acids through the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). OCT is derived from TYR. by involvement of the enzyme dopamine (3-hydroxylase (Fig. 1 DBH). The catabolism of trace amines occurs in both glia and neurons and is predominantly mediated by monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and -B). While TYR., TRP and OCT show approximately equal affinities toward MAO-A and MAO-B, PEA serves as preferred substrate for MAO-B. The metabolites phenylacetic acid (PEA), hydroxyphenylacetic acid (TYR.), hydroxymandelic acid (OCT), and indole-3-acetic (TRP) are believed to be pharmacologically inactive. 

Trace Amines. Figure 1 The main routes of trace amine metabolism. The trace amines (3-phenylethylamine (PEA), p-tyramine (TYR), octopamine (OCT) and tryptamine (TRP), highlighted by white shading, are each generated from their respective precursor amino acids by decarboxylation. They are rapidly metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) to the pharmacologically inactive carboxylic acids. To a limited extent trace amines are also A/-methylated to the corresponding secondary amines which are believed to be pharmacologically active. Abbreviations AADC, aromatic amino acid decarboxylase DBH, dopamine b-hydroxylase NMT, nonspecific A/-methyltransferase PNMT, phenylethanolamine A/-methyltransferase TH, tyrosine hydroxylase. 

The COMT inhibitors should not be administered with the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (see Chap. 31) because there is an increased risk of toxicity. If the COMT inhibitors are administered with norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, methyldopa, or epinephrine, there is a risk of increased heart rate, arrhythmias, and excessive blood pressure changes. 

FIGURE 6-12 The mixed tissue (banana) carbon-paste sensor for dopamine. PPO = polyphenol oxidase. (Reproduced with permission from reference 36.)... 

Neural cells convert tyrosine to epinephrine and norepinephrine (Figure 31—5). While dopa is also an intermediate in the formation of melanin, different enzymes hydroxylate tyrosine in melanocytes. Dopa decarboxylase, a pyridoxai phosphate-dependent enzyme, forms dopamine. Subsequent hydroxylation by dopamine P-oxidase then forms norepinephrine. In the adrenal medulla, phenylethanolamine-A -methyltransferase uti-hzes S-adenosyhnethionine to methylate the primary amine of norepinephrine, forming epinephrine (Figure 31-5). Tyrosine is also a precursor of triiodothyronine and thyroxine (Chapter 42). 

Escribano, J. et al., Characterization of monophenolase activity of table beet polyphenol oxidase determination of kinetic parameters on the tyramine/dopamine pair, J. Agric. Food Ghem., 45, 4209, 1997. 

The beneficial effect of deprenyl in Parkinson s disease was su ested to be in part due to its effect on increasing the levels of SOD activity in several brain regions (Carrillo et al., 1993). Deprenyl is known to inhibit monoamine oxidase type B, which results in a reduction in hydrogen peroxide formation by blockade of the oxidative deamination of dopamine. That is believed to be the major mechanism of action of this drug in inhibiting the progression of Parkinson s disease. 

Marker, H.S., Weiss, C., Silides, D.J., and Cohen, G. (1981). Coupling of dopamine oxidation (monoamine oxidase activity) to glutathione oxidation via the generation of hydrogen peroxide in rat brain homogenates. J. Neurochem. 36, 589-593. 

Ach, acetylcholine CNS, central nervous system CD, carbidopa COMT, catechol-O-methyltransferase D1, a class of dopamine receptors which includes D, and D5 subtypes D2, a class of dopamine receptors which includes D2, D3, and D4 subtypes DA, dopamine LD, levodopa MAO, monoamine oxidase MD, maintenance dose NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate. 

---