- Starting with the precursor substance tyrosine or tryptophan, identify and briefly describe each chemical step required to create each neurotransmitter dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Cited in the current APA style, including citation of references.
### Neurotransmitter Synthesis from Tyrosine and Tryptophan
#### Dopamine Synthesis
Dopamine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine through a series of enzymatic reactions:
1. **Tyrosine to L-DOPA**: Tyrosine hydroxylase catalyzes the hydroxylation of tyrosine to L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine). This is the rate-limiting step in dopamine synthesis.
– **Reaction**: Tyrosine + Tetrahydrobiopterin + O2 → L-DOPA + Dihydrobiopterin + H2O
2. **L-DOPA to Dopamine**: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (also known as DOPA decarboxylase) catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-DOPA to dopamine.
– **Reaction**: L-DOPA → Dopamine + CO2
#### Norepinephrine Synthesis
Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine through the following step:
1. **Dopamine to Norepinephrine**: Dopamine β-hydroxylase catalyzes the hydroxylation of dopamine to norepinephrine. This enzyme is located in the synaptic vesicles of noradrenergic neurons.
– **Reaction**: Dopamine + Ascorbate + O2 → Norepinephrine + Dehydroascorbate + H2O
#### Serotonin Synthesis
Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan through a two-step process:
1. **Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)**: Tryptophan hydroxylase catalyzes the hydroxylation of tryptophan to 5-HTP. This is the rate-limiting step in serotonin synthesis.
– **Reaction**: Tryptophan + Tetrahydrobiopterin + O2 → 5-HTP + Dihydrobiopterin + H2O
2. **5-HTP to Serotonin**: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (the same enzyme involved in dopamine synthesis) catalyzes the decarboxylation of 5-HTP to serotonin.
– **Reaction**: 5-HTP → Serotonin + CO2
### References
– Nestler, E. J., Hyman, S. E., & Malenka, R. C. (2009). *Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience* (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Medical.
– Rang, H. P., Dale, M. M., Ritter, J. M., Flower, R. J., & Henderson, G. (2011). *Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology* (7th ed.). Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone.
– Cooper, J. R., Bloom, F. E., & Roth, R. H. (2003). *The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology* (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
"Place your order now for a similar assignment and have exceptional work written by our team of experts, guaranteeing you "A" results."
