title: Synthesis of dopamine from L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine by human amniotic epithelial cells.
abstract: In this study, the ability of human amniotic epithelial cells to synthesize dopamine from L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) was examined. Dopamine synthesis was significantly increased time and L-DOPA concentration dependently, suggesting the presence of an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase enzyme. This was confirmed by the decrease in dopamine synthesis in the presence of an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, benserazide. These findings suggest that human amniotic epithelial cells have the capacity to take up and convert L-DOPA into dopamine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. elwan@ncnaxp.ncnp.go.jp
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elwan
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases / Q000378:metabolism; D001545:Benserazide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004298:Dopamine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D001545:Benserazide; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases; D004298:Dopamine