Premium
A SENSITIVE ENZYMATIC‐RADIOISOTOPIC ASSAY FOR 3,4‐DIHYDROXYPHENYLACETIC ACID
Author(s) -
Kebabian J. W.,
Saavedra J. M.,
Axelrod J.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1977.tb10630.x
Subject(s) - homovanillic acid , chemistry , 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid , caudate nucleus , substantia nigra , reserpine , dopamine , catechol , biochemistry , chromatography , endocrinology , dopaminergic , serotonin , biology , receptor
— An assay for 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) capable of detecting as little as 1 pmole of DOPAC is described. The basis of the assay is the O ‐methylation of DOPAC utilizing S ‐[methyl‐ 3 H]adenosyl‐l‐methionine and a partially purified catechol‐ O ‐methyl transferase to form [methyl‐ 3 H]homovanillic acid. The [methyl‐ 3 H]homovanillic acid is purified with ion exchange resin and either solvent partitions or TLC. Utilizing this assay, the effect of either chlorpromazine or reserpine upon the content of DOPAC both in the caudate nucleus and in the substantia nigra was determined. Both of these drugs increase the level of DOPAC in the caudate nucleus but have minimal effects upon the level of DOPAC in the substantia nigra.