Background and purpose: This study investigates the role of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha(2A), alpha(2B) and alpha(2C), on catecholamine synthesis and catabolism in the central nervous system of mice.
Experimental approach: Activities of the main catecholamine synthetic and catabolic enzymes were determined in whole brains obtained from alpha(2A)-, alpha(2B)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor knockout (KO) and C56Bl\7 wild-type (WT) mice.
Key results: Although no significant differences were found in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and expression, brain tissue levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine were threefold higher in alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor KO mice. Brain tissue levels of dopamine and noradrenaline were significantly higher in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KOs compared with WT [WT: 2.8 +/- 0.5, 1.1 +/- 0.1; alpha(2A)KO: 6.9 +/- 0.7, 1.9 +/- 0.1; alpha(2B)KO: 2.3 +/- 0.2, 1.0 +/- 0.1; alpha(2C)KO: 4.6 +/- 0.8, 1.5 +/- 0.2 nmol.(g tissue)(-1), for dopamine and noradrenaline respectively]. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was significantly higher in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KO [WT: 40 +/- 1; alpha(2A): 77 +/- 2; alpha(2B): 40 +/- 1; alpha(2C): 50 +/- 1, maximum velocity (V(max)) in nmol.(mg protein)(-1).h(-1)], but no significant differences were found in dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Of the catabolic enzymes, catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme activity was significantly higher in all three alpha(2)KO mice [WT: 2.0 +/- 0.0; alpha(2A): 2.4 +/- 0.1; alpha(2B): 2.2 +/- 0.0; alpha(2C): 2.2 +/- 0.0 nmol.(mg protein)(-1).h(-1)], but no significant differences were found in monoamine oxidase activity between all alpha(2)KOs and WT mice.
Conclusions and implications: In mouse brain, deletion of alpha(2A)- or alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors increased cerebral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity and catecholamine tissue levels. Deletion of any alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes resulted in increased activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Higher 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine tissue levels in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KO mice could be explained by increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine transport.