3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (CAS: 59-92-7)

C₉H₁₁NO₄

Metabolic precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline), which are collectively known as catecholamines. This amino acid is produced from L-tyrosine by tyrosine hydroxylase and metabolized by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT). L-DOPA is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier where it is converted to dopamine. Formulations containing L-DOPA have been used to increase dopamine concentrations in the brain as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease and stroke recovery. Mediates neurotrophic factor release by the brain and CNS. Used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia. In addition it is used, as a cell adhesion molecule in serum-free cultures of anchorage-dependent mammalian cells, to prevent surfaces from fouling by bonding antifouling polymers to a susceptible substrate or to stain melanocytes.

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