Dopamine

Dopamine is an endogenous catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesized from the amino acid L-tyrosine that acts as an agonist at dopamine receptors (D1-5).1 Dopamine is mainly synthesized in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area and is a precursor in norepinephrine and epinephrine biosynthesis. Dopamine-containing neurons in the brain are involved in reward-motivated behavior, motor control, and hormone release. Dopamine is also synthesized in the adrenal glands where it exerts peripheral paracrine functions including control of vasodilation, sodium excretion, insulin production, gastrointestinal motility, and the activity of lymphocytes.2,3 Loss or damage of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is associated with Parkinson’s disease.4
多巴胺是一种内源性儿茶酚胺神经递质，由氨基酸L-酪氨酸合成，在多巴胺受体（D1-5）上作为激动剂发挥作用。1 多巴胺主要在黑质和腹侧被盖区合成，同时是去甲肾上腺素和肾上腺素合成的前体。大脑中含有多巴胺神经元，它们参与奖赏行为、运动控制和激素释放。多巴胺也在肾上腺中合成，发挥周围副交感作用，包括控制血管扩张、钠排泄、胰岛素分泌、胃肠运动和淋巴细胞活性等。2,3 黑质多巴胺能神经元的丧失或损伤与帕金森病有关。4

1.Missale, C., Nash, S.R., Robinson, S.W., et al.Dopamine receptors: From structure to functionPhysiol. Rev.78(1)190-225(1998) 2.Hayaishi, O.Molecular genetic studies on sleep-wake regulation, with special emphases on the prostaglandin D2 systemJ. Appl. Physiol.92(2)863-868(2015) 3.Garza, J.H.H., and Carr, D.J.J.Neuroendocrine peptide receptors on cells of the immune systemChem. Immunol.69132-154(1997) 4.Angeles, D.C., Ho, P., Dymock, B.W., et al.Antioxidants inhibit neuronal toxicity in Parkinson's disease-linked LRRK2Ann. Clin. Transl. Neurol.3(4)288-294(2016)