title: The biochemical basis of Parkinson's disease: the role of catecholamine o-quinones: a review-discussion.
abstract: This paper reviews the possible role of catecholamine o-quinones (oQs) in the genesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). This disease is characterized by damage caused to the pigmented catecholaminergic cells in various areas of the brain. The pigment involved is neuromelanin that is the end product of catecholamine oxidation by the o-quinone route. Evidence is presented regarding the overproduction in PD of these catecholamine oQs that damage the electron chain in the mitochondria leading to cell death. The roles of glutathione S-transferase and reactive oxygen species in this are also surveyed. A review of all known biochemical properties of these o-quinones is included. The hypothesis is put forward that an important factor in the genesis of PD may be the overload by environmental toxins of enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase that also detoxify catecholamine oQs.
authors.affiliation: Center for Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. Smythies@psy.ucsd.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smythies
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Iuliis
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanatta
authors.forename: Lauro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galzigna