Abstract
Contrary to previous reports, 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid does not mediate the methylation of dopamine to epinine. Instead, this methyl donor is degraded enzymatically to formaldehyde, which condenses with dopamine to form a tetahydoisoquinoline derivative. The latter has chromotographic characteristics very similar to those of epinine, which likely accounts for the original misidentification of the product.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Brain / enzymology
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Carbon Radioisotopes
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Chromatography, Thin Layer
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Dopamine / analogs & derivatives*
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Dopamine / biosynthesis
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Dopamine / metabolism*
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Formaldehyde / metabolism
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In Vitro Techniques
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Isoquinolines / metabolism
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Methane / metabolism
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Methylamines / metabolism
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Methylation
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Rats
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S-Adenosylmethionine / metabolism
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Tetrahydrofolates / metabolism*
Substances
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Carbon Radioisotopes
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Isoquinolines
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Methylamines
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Tetrahydrofolates
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Formaldehyde
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S-Adenosylmethionine
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Methane
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Dopamine