Starting with the precursor substance tyrosine or tryptophan, identify and briefly describe each chemical step required to create each neurotransmitter. (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine)
350 words, APA FORMAT
Creating neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine from their precursor amino acids involves a series of enzymatic steps within the body. Here’s a brief overview of the biosynthesis pathways for each neurotransmitter starting from their respective precursor substances, tyrosine and tryptophan:
### Serotonin (5-HT)
1. **Tyrosine to L-DOPA Conversion:**
Tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme found in the brain and adrenal glands, catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).
2. **L-DOPA to Dopamine:**
L-DOPA decarboxylase converts L-DOPA into dopamine.
3. **Dopamine to Norepinephrine:**
Dopamine β-hydroxylase converts dopamine into norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
4. **Norepinephrine to Epinephrine:**
Norepinephrine is methylated by phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) to form epinephrine (adrenaline).
### Dopamine
1. **Tyrosine to L-DOPA Conversion:**
Similar to serotonin biosynthesis, tyrosine is first converted to L-DOPA by tyrosine hydroxylase.
2. **L-DOPA to Dopamine:**
L-DOPA is subsequently decarboxylated to form dopamine by L-DOPA decarboxylase.
### Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
1. **Tyrosine to L-DOPA Conversion:**
Tyrosine is converted to L-DOPA by tyrosine hydroxylase.
2. **L-DOPA to Dopamine:**
L-DOPA is decarboxylated to produce dopamine.
3. **Dopamine to Norepinephrine:**
Dopamine β-hydroxylase converts dopamine into norepinephrine.
### Brief Comparison and Synthesis
– **Common Precursor:** Both serotonin and dopamine originate from the amino acid precursor tyrosine, whereas serotonin requires an additional step to form norepinephrine.
– **Enzymatic Conversion:** Specific enzymes catalyze each step in the biosynthesis process, ensuring the precise conversion from one neurotransmitter precursor to the next.
– **Neurotransmitter Functions:** Serotonin is involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite control; dopamine plays a role in reward-motivated behavior and motor control; norepinephrine is crucial for attention, arousal, and stress response.
Understanding these biosynthetic pathways is essential in pharmacological research and clinical settings for developing treatments targeting neurotransmitter dysfunctions associated with various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
### References
Please note that for a detailed and comprehensive academic paper, you would need to include specific scholarly references to support each step of neurotransmitter biosynthesis, including enzyme mechanisms and clinical implications in neurological disorders.
The post Biosynthesis of Neurotransmitters: Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine from Tyrosine appeared first on Destiny Papers.
