The Biochemistry, Physiological Actions and Clinical Importance of Dopamine: A Review

Abstract

Dopamine (DA) have been an essential catecholamine neurotransmitter that mediates many biochemical, physiological and pathological functions. This review summarizes what we currently know about the biochemistry, physiology and clinical significance of dopamine, with special emphasis placed on new insights. Dopamine is synthesized from tyrosine via a two-step enzymatic conversion catalyzed by tyrosine hydroxylase first followed by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Its life-cycle—vesicular storage, exocytosis, reuptake and degradation though monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase—is under precise control. As a neurophysiological neurotransmitter, dopamine have been essential for controlling movement, processes of thought, reward pathways and hormonal balance through different neural circuits and specific receptor subtype. It also plays a role in cardiovascular, renal, and immune system function outside the brain. Clinically, weakened dopaminergic signaling has been related with many disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia depression and ADHD; therefore it is a target of drug development. These recent advances are substantially enhancing our knowledge towards dopamine contributions to disease, especially its involvement in immune regulation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the complete organizational complexity of dopaminergic networks and their cross-biological system interactions remain incompletely characterized, a challenge that survives even decades of research. Dopamine is, in conclusion, integrator of many physiological system and further studies on dopamine will lead to new treatment strategies with improved effectiveness and specificity (even on many different disease).

Keywords:

Dpamine, ADHD, β-lactam antibiotics

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