AdipoGen 3 4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine
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Chemical. CAS 59-92-7. Formula C9H11NO4. MW 197.19. Synthetic. 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.