Destruction of Catecholamine-Containing Neurons by 6-Hydroxydopa, an Endogenous Amine Oxidase Cofactor
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2-6-1998
Description
The amino acid, 6-hydroxydopa (6-OHDOPA), found at the active site of amine oxidases, exists as a keto-enol. Exogenously administered 6-OHDOPA is an excitotoxin like β-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA) and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), acting at the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor. BMAA and BOAA are causal factors of neurolathyrism in humans. Much exogenously administered 6-OHDOPA is biotransformed by aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) to the highly potent and catecholamine-(CA) selective neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). 6-OHDOPA destroys locus coeruleus noradrenergic perikarya and produces associated denervation of brain by norepinephrine-(NE) containing fibers. Opiopeptides and opioids enhance neurotoxic effects of 6-OHDOPA on noradrenergic nerves, by a naloxone-reversible process. An understanding of mechanisms underlying neurotoxic effects of 6-OHDOPA can be helpful in defining actions of known and newfound amino acids and for investigating their potential neurotoxic properties.
Citation Information
Kostrzewa, R. M.; and Brus, R.. 1998. Destruction of Catecholamine-Containing Neurons by 6-Hydroxydopa, an Endogenous Amine Oxidase Cofactor. Amino Acids. Vol.14(1-3). 175-179. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01345259 PMID: 9871458 ISSN: 0939-4451