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Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...

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Figure 4: Dopam<strong>in</strong>e catabolism (Méndez-Álvarez and Soto-Otero 2004)<br />

HO NH 3<br />

HO<br />

dopam<strong>in</strong>e<br />

(DA)<br />

O 2<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

H2O2 HO<br />

CHO H2O + NAD<br />

monoam<strong>in</strong>e oxidase<br />

HO<br />

3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde<br />

(DOPAL)<br />

aldehyde dehydrogenase<br />

NADH + H<br />

CH 3<br />

H 2O<br />

O<br />

HO<br />

NH 4<br />

catechol-O-methyltransferase<br />

COO<br />

homovanillic acid<br />

(HVA)<br />

S-adenosyl-homocyste<strong>in</strong>e<br />

(SAH)<br />

S<br />

CH 2<br />

CH2 CH NH3 COO<br />

CH 2<br />

OH<br />

O<br />

N<br />

N<br />

OH<br />

NH 2<br />

N<br />

N<br />

HO<br />

HO<br />

COO<br />

3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid<br />

(DOPAC)<br />

CH3 S<br />

CH2 CH2 CH NH3 COO<br />

CH 2<br />

OH<br />

O<br />

N<br />

N<br />

OH<br />

NH 2<br />

N<br />

S-adenosyl-methion<strong>in</strong>e<br />

(SAM)<br />

DA is a neurotransmitter widely distributed throughout the whole bra<strong>in</strong>, but<br />

mostly localized <strong>in</strong> the striatum. It is produced by mesencephalic neurons <strong>of</strong> the<br />

substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), and by hypothalamic neurons<br />

<strong>of</strong> the arcuate and periventricular nuclei (Cooper et al. 1996). DAergic neurons located<br />

<strong>in</strong> these areas project their axons to the striatum (nigrostriatal pathway), neocortex<br />

(mesocortical pathway), limbic system (mesolimbic pathway) and hypophysis<br />

(tubero<strong>in</strong>fundibular pathway) (Figure 5). DA receptor family consists <strong>of</strong> five members<br />

divided <strong>in</strong>to two subfamilies: the D1-like family comprises D1 and D5 receptors,<br />

whereas the D2-like family <strong>in</strong>cludes D2, D3 and D4 receptors (Cooper et al. 1996,<br />

Jackson and Westl<strong>in</strong>d-Danielsson 1994). D1 receptors are widely expressed <strong>in</strong> the bra<strong>in</strong>,<br />

whereas D2 receptors are pr<strong>in</strong>cipally seen <strong>in</strong> the striatum and nucleus accumbens<br />

(Figure 6). As we will discuss later, DA plays a central role <strong>in</strong> the pathology <strong>of</strong> PD as<br />

this neurotransmitter is crucial for basal ganglia regulation.<br />

N<br />

13

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