3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (also known as 3,4-DOPAC) is a metabolite of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is produced by the action of the enzyme monoamine oxidase on dopamine, followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase converting the resulting dopamine aldehyde into 3,4-DOPAC.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid is a phenolic acid with the chemical formula C8H8O4. It has two hydroxyl groups attached to the benzene ring, at positions 3 and 4, and a carboxylic acid group attached to the carbon atom at position 1. This structure gives 3,4-DOPAC its unique chemical properties, including its ability to act as a hydrogen donor in redox reactions.
Biological Role[edit | edit source]
In the human body, 3,4-DOPAC is primarily found in the brain, where it plays a crucial role in the metabolism of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in a variety of functions, including motor control, reward and punishment, and the regulation of mood. By breaking down dopamine, 3,4-DOPAC helps to regulate the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The levels of 3,4-DOPAC in the body can be used as a marker for dopamine activity. Abnormally high or low levels of 3,4-DOPAC can indicate a disruption in dopamine metabolism, which can be associated with a variety of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and depression.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
