Reduced platelet phenolsulphotransferase activity towards dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in migraine.
OBJECTIVE
The sulphation of the neurotransmitters dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and of the prototypical xenobiotic 4-nitrophenol, by phenolsulphotransferases was measured in platelet homogenates prepared from a group of migraine sufferers and a group of control subjects.


RESULTS
The activity of the M form of phenolsulphotransferase, responsible for the sulphation of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine was significantly reduced in the migraine population, by 28% with dopamine as substrate and by 20% with 5-hydroxytryptamine. The activity of the P form of the enzyme towards 4-nitrophenol was the same in both groups. We also report that the selective inhibition of P form phenolsulphotransferase by red wine is much more potent than previously thought, with a 2000-fold dilution of dealcoholised red wine having the ability to inhibit sulphation by this enzyme by 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that a reduced capacity for sulphation and inactivation of biogenic amines and catecholamines may be related to susceptibility to migraine.
Jones
A L
AL
Department of Biochemical Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK.
Roberts
R C
RC
Colvin
D W
DW
Rubin
G L
GL
Coughtrie
M W
MW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015239:Arylsulfotransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000378:metabolism*
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin; D015239:Arylsulfotransferase; D004298:Dopamine