Dopamine metabolism and reactive oxygen species production

Abstract

The catecholamine dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in movement control; it is mainly produced in the adrenal glands and the brain. In the latter, a large number of dopaminergic neurons can be found in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The specific degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta causes rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia, all of which are hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. One of the potential molecular factors that might induce the loss of dopaminergic neurons is an elevated level of reactive oxygen species which causes cell damage over time. Dopaminergic neurons are especially prone to ROS production, since dopamine, as well as its precursors and downstream metabolites, is readily oxidized enzymatically or via autoxidation. In this chapter we will describe how dopamine metabolism and reactive oxygen species are linked and show possible consequences of excessive ROS production and how dopaminergic neurons can react to this stress.