Neurotransmitter Synthesis Pathways

Neurotransmitter Synthesis Pathways

Starting with the precursor substance tyrosine or tryptophan, identify and briefly describe each chemical step required to create each neurotransmitter  dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

APA

Neurotransmitter Synthesis from Precursors

1. Dopamine Synthesis from Tyrosine:

Step 1: Conversion of Tyrosine to L-DOPA

• Enzyme: Tyrosine Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tyrosine is hydroxylated by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase to form L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).

Step 2: Conversion of L-DOPA to Dopamine

• Enzyme: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (also known as DOPA Decarboxylase)
• Process: Decarboxylation
• Description: L-DOPA is decarboxylated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase to form dopamine.

2. Serotonin Synthesis from Tryptophan:

Step 1: Conversion of Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

• Enzyme: Tryptophan Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tryptophan is hydroxylated by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

Step 2: Conversion of 5-HTP to Serotonin (5-HT)

• Enzyme: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (also known as 5-HTP Decarboxylase)
• Process: Decarboxylation
• Description: 5-HTP is decarboxylated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase to form serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT)…

Neurotransmitter Synthesis from Precursors

1. Dopamine Synthesis from Tyrosine:

Step 1: Conversion of Tyrosine to L-DOPA

• Enzyme: Tyrosine Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tyrosine is hydroxylated by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase to form L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).

Step 2: Conversion of L-DOPA to Dopamine

• Enzyme: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (also known as DOPA Decarboxylase)
• Process: Decarboxylation
• Description: L-DOPA is decarboxylated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase to form dopamine.

2. Serotonin Synthesis from Tryptophan:

Step 1: Conversion of Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

• Enzyme: Tryptophan Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tryptophan is hydroxylated by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

Step 2: Conversion of 5-HTP to Serotonin (5-HT)

• Enzyme: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (also known as 5-HTP Decarboxylase)
• Process: Decarboxylation
• Description: 5-HTP is decarboxylated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase to form serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT)…

Neurotransmitter Synthesis from Precursors

1. Dopamine Synthesis from Tyrosine:

Step 1: Conversion of Tyrosine to L-DOPA

• Enzyme: Tyrosine Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tyrosine is hydroxylated by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase to form L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).

Step 2: Conversion of L-DOPA to Dopamine

• Enzyme: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (also known as DOPA Decarboxylase)
• Process: Decarboxylation
• Description: L-DOPA is decarboxylated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase to form dopamine.

2. Serotonin Synthesis from Tryptophan:

Step 1: Conversion of Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

• Enzyme: Tryptophan Hydroxylase
• Process: Hydroxylation
• Description: Tryptophan is hydroxylated by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Neurotransmitter Synthesis Pathways