Noradrenaline synthesis

Noradrenaline synthesis is a multi-step enzymatic pathway responsible for the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into norepinephrine (noradrenaline), an important neurotransmitter and hormone. The pathway begins with phenylalanine being hydroxylated to tyrosine, followed by successive enzymatic steps: tyrosine is converted to L-DOPA by tyrosine hydroxylase (the rate-limiting step), L-DOPA is decarboxylated to dopamine by DOPA decarboxylase, and dopamine is then converted to norepinephrine by dopamine β-hydroxylase within vesicles in noradrenergic neurons or chromaffin cells. In some cells, norepinephrine may be further methylated into epinephrine. Regulation and inhibition of this pathway impact levels of neurotransmitters central to multiple neurological and cardiovascular functions and diseases.

Other names

Catecholamine synthesisNorepinephrine synthesisNoradrenaline biosynthesis

Drugs inhibit or modulate specific enzymes such as tyrosine hydroxylase, DOPA decarboxylase, or dopamine β-hydroxylase