Question 3 Levodopa is a dopamine precursor used in the management of Parkinson's disease. It can cross the blood-brain barrier while dopamine cannot. What is a possible explanation? HO HO. CO2H NH2 NH2 HO HO Dopamine Levodopa O Levodopa contains polar functional groups which increase the hydrophilicity of the drug. Electrostatic interaction happens between the binding pocket and the carboxylic acid and amine in Levodopa. Carboxylic acid and amine in Levodopa act as hydrogen bond donors and interact with the binding pocket of the target. O Levodopa contains an amino acid moiety and can be carried across cell membranes by carrier proteins for amino acids.
Levodopa is also known as L-DOPA and l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. It is used as part of the normal biology of animals, some plants, and also in humans. Levodopa is made synthetically as well as some animals do the biosynthesis of levodopa from amino acid l-tyrosine. Levodopa is a precursor of catecholamines such as dopamine, epinephrine, and nor-epinephrin. The X chromosome carries the MAOA(Monoamine oxidases A)gene. mitochondrial enzymes are encoded by the MAOA gene the oxidative deamination of amines such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are catalyzed by these mitochondrial enzymes. Dopamine, norepinephrine(noradrenaline), and serotonin in the brain are very important in neuroscientific studies for many years and are fundamental to normal brain functions. because norepinephrine(noradrenaline) and serotonin are vital for mental behavior patterns and in movement dopamine is involved. Therefore, excessive levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) often lead to aggressive behaviors and violence.
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