title: Quantification of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA.
abstract: The main biochemical characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD) is reduction of the neurotransmitter dopamine and the dopamine-synthesizing enzyme system, including tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, EC 1.14.16.2) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4) co-factor, in nigrostriatal neurons (1). The deficiency in dopamine-synthesizing enzymes is accompanied by cell loss, which is thought to be caused by unknown exogenous environmental factors as well as endogenous genetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Tokoake, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ichinose
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohye
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inagaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagatsu