title: Processing of MPTP by monoamine oxidases: implications for molecular toxicology.
abstract: MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), a selective nigrostriatal neurotoxin, is bioactivated by MAO-B (and less effectively by MAO-A) to 2,3-MPDP+ and this intermediate undergoes further oxidation to MPP+, partly through the activity of MAO forms. MPTP and its two primary metabolites are competitive inhibitors of both A and B forms of MAO. MPTP and 2,3-MPDP+ are also mechanism-based inactivators of both forms of the enzyme. A catalytic mechanism, involving the formation of radical intermediates, is proposed for the MAO-mediated oxidation of MPTP. Post-oxidation biochemical sequelae, possibly involved in the expression of neurotoxicity, include the active accumulation of MPP+ via dopamine reuptake systems, the energy-driven uptake of MPP+ by mitochondria and the inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase by pyridine derivatives. A scheme linking these events as steps in the molecular mechanism of action of MPTP is proposed and discussed in terms of the selective toxicity of the neurotoxin towards nigrostriatal cells.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Trevor
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Castagnoli
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011725:Pyridines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium