Is Dopamine-Induced Inhibition of Adenylate Cyclase Involved in the Autoreceptor-Mediated Negative Control of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Striatal Dopaminergic Terminals?

Abstract The mechanism of the negative control of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity induced by the stimulation of presynaptic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine, DA) autoreceptors was investigated using rat striatal slices and synaptosomes incubated under control ([K⁺] = 4.8 mM) or depolarizing ([K⁺] = 60 mM) conditions. The stimulation of DA autoreceptors by 7-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (1 μM 7-OH-DPAT) produced a significant decrease in TH activity extracted from striatal slices maintained under control conditions. This effect was associated with the complete conversion of TH into an enzyme form with a low affinity for its pterin cofactor (K_m～0.80 mM). Furthermore, compared to TH extracted from control tissues, that from 7-OH-DPAT-exposed striatal slices was more sensitive to the stimulatdry effects of exogenous heparin and cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation. Such changes were opposite to those induced by incubating striatal slices with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Indeed, forskolin treatment completely converted TH into an enzyme form with a high affinity for its pterin cofactor (K_m～0.16 mM). Such conversion was associated with a shift in the optimal pH for TH activity from 5.8 (control) to 7.2 (forskolin). Under depolarizing conditions, the blockade by (—)-sulpiride of the stimulation of DA autoreceptors by endogenous DA was associated with a marked activation of TH. Modifications of enzymatic characteristics triggered by (—)-sulpiride were then similar to those induced by forskolin treatment. These data suggest that presynaptic DA autoreceptors modulate the activity of TH by controlling the degree of cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme. The blockade by Pertussis toxin of the 7-OH-DPAT-induced inhibition of TH activity is coherent with a possible negative coupling of presynaptic DA autoreceptors (closely related to the D₂ type) with adenylate cyclase. Such negative coupling would account for the reduction of TH activity when presynaptic DA autoreceptors are stimulated.     

Phosphorylation of human recombinant tyrosine hydroxylase isoforms 1 and 2: an additional phosphorylated residue in isoform 2, generated through alternative splicing.

The single human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene generates four different mRNA species through alternative splicing events. TH-1 and TH-2 mRNAs are expressed mostly in the brain. We have produced large amounts of the corresponding proteins in Escherichia coli to analyze their respective molecular characteristics. The polypeptides have molecular weights similar to those of TH expressed in Xenopus oocytes and react with antibodies to TH. The two isoforms were purified with a purity of 90% using a three-step procedure. The phosphorylation sites have been determined in the two isoforms after labeling with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-PK II). In both isoforms, Ser-40 was found to be phosphorylated by PKA, and Ser-19 and Ser-40 were found to be phosphorylated by CaM-PK II. The putative phosphorylation site generated by alternative splicing (Ser-31) was phosphorylated specifically by CaM-PK II in TH-2 only. The kinetic properties of the two isoforms in the presence of various concentrations of the substrate (tyrosine) and of the natural cofactor [6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin) were also analyzed. TH produced in E. coli is unphosphorylated but nevertheless active. At 50 microM tyrosine and 300 microM (6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin, the specific activities of TH-1 and TH-2 are 1300 and 620 nmol of dihydroxyphenylalanine/min/mg, respectively. Phosphorylation of TH-1 and TH-2 by PKA activates both isoenzymes as shown by the increase in the affinity for the cofactor. No changes in kinetic parameters of the isoenzymes were observed after phosphorylation by CaM-PK II. Dopamine was found to inhibit both TH isoenzymes to the same extent as shown by their similar Ki values for dopamine. These values were increased after phosphorylation of each enzyme by PKA. Unlike TH-1, phosphorylation of TH-2 by CaM-PK II resulted in an increase of the Ki value for dopamine. This property may be related to the presence of the additional phosphorylated residue in TH-2 isoform.     

Tyrosine hydroxylase. Activation by protein phosphorylation and end product inhibition.

Protein phosphorylation activates tyrosine hydroxylase in crude extracts of rat striatum, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands by a reduction in the apparent Km value for 6-methyltetrahydropterin. Removal of endogenous catecholamines by gel filtration or cation exchange results in a similar activation. Phosphorylation causes only a small additional reduction in the apparent Km for reduced pterin in striatal extracts from which catecholamines have been removed. Kinetic analysis indicates that protein phosphorylation causes a significant increase in the Ki for end product dopamine, whereas gel filtration or cation exchange treatment has little effect on the dopamine Ki value. None of the above treatments appears to change the molecular weight of the enzyme. At physiological concentrations of dopamine, the increase in Ki by phosphorylation would effectively release tyrosine hydroxylase from end product feedback inhibition.     

Stimulation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of phosphorylase kinase by micromolar concentrations of spermine

The phosphorylation of phosphorylase kinase by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) is stimulated approximately 2-fold by spermine and spermidine. Half maximal effects were observed at 10 microM and 150 microM of spermine and spermidine, respectively. The phosphorylations of other substrates of A-kinase such as glycogen synthase, histone, and casein are not stimulated by these two polyamines. The rates, but not the final extents, of phosphorylation of both the alpha and beta subunits of phosphorylase kinase by A-kinase are stimulated by spermine. The results indicate that spermine and spermidine may play an important role in the activation of glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle.     

Effect of Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Phosphorylating Conditions on the pH-Dependent Activity of Tyrosine Hydroxylase from Beef and Rat Striata

Abstract Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, EC 1.14.16.2) from beef brain striata was purified 23-fold from an extract of an acetone powder. If this enzyme preparation is treated with a cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation system, there is a change in the pH dependence of the enzyme activity. The pH optimum at saturating tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄) concentration is shifted from below pH 6 to about pH 6.7. At pH 7, activation is expressed mainly as an increase in V_max, whereas at pH 6, activation is expressed mainly as a decrease in K_m for the pterin cofactor. Further, even with the control enzyme the K_m for pterin cofactor declines precipitously as the pH is increased from 6 toward neutrality. Similar data were obtained with G-25 Sephadex-treated rat striatal TH. Experiments in which rat striatal synaptosomes were used demonstrated that the in situ activation of TH by phosphorylating conditions is expressed primarily as an increase in the maximum rate of dopamine synthesis. These results indicate that changes in TH activity caused by cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation will depend to a large extent on the pH of the TH environment.     

The effect of methacholine and histamine on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the guinea-pig isolated trachea.

The effects of methacholine and histamine were examined on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) activity in guinea-pig isolated trachea, using kemptide as a substrate for phosphorylation during the determination of the enzyme activity. Methacholine (EC90, 10 microM) induced a rapid reduction in the basal A-kinase activity ratio, which was maximal after 30 s. This initial reduction coincided with the early phase of isometric tension development, and returned to control levels 4 min after the addition of methacholine. Pretreatment with atropine inhibited the methacholine response. In contrast, histamine (EC90, 30 microM) was without effect upon A-kinase activity ratio. The results establish the sensitivity of the A-kinase assay using kemptide and demonstrate that not all contractile agonists have the capacity to inhibit basal activity of A-kinase in airway smooth muscle.     

Site-directed mutagenesis of tyrosine hydroxylase. Role of serine 40 in catalysis.

We have investigated the role of serine 40 (Ser-40) in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) catalysis of basal and activated enzymes by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation. Wild type and mutant TH were transiently and stably expressed in AtT-20 cells, and the enzymatic activities of the recombinant enzymes were analyzed. The specific enzymatic activity of transiently expressed TH mutants Ser-40-->leucine or-->tyrosine (Leu-40m or Tyr-40m) was higher than that of the wild type enzyme or of other mutants in which Ser-8, -19, and -31 were replaced by leucine. The kinetic studies carried out with the stably expressed TH show that the Km for the cofactor 6-methyltetrahydropterine is lower and the Ki for dopamine is higher when the enzymatic hydroxylation is catalyzed by the Leu-40m or Tyr-40m than by the wild type enzyme. The kinetic parameters and the pH profile of the enzymatic hydroxylation catalyzed by the Leu-40m or Tyr-40m are similar to the enzyme activated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation. We suggest that Ser-40 in TH exerts an inhibitory influence on the enzymatic activity, and its replacement with another amino acid by site-directed mutagenesis or its modification by phosphorylation leads to a change in conformation with an increased enzymatic activity. The importance of Ser-40 in the activation of TH by PKA-mediated phosphorylation was investigated by comparing the activation of the wild type enzyme with that of Leu-40m or Tyr-40m. The findings that the enzymatic activity is increased by PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the wild type enzyme, but not of the Leu-40m or Tyr-40m, demonstrate that phosphorylation at Ser-40 is essential for activation of TH by PKA. The findings that addition of ATP plus cAMP to homogenates from transfected AtT-20 cells stimulates the recombinant wild type TH activity indicate that these cells contain endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Effect of peroxides on spermine transport in rat brain and liver mitochondria

The polyamine spermine is transported into the matrix of various types of mitochondria by a specific uniporter system identified as a protein channel. This mechanism is regulated by the membrane potential; other regulatory effectors are unknown. This study analyzes the transport of spermine in the presence of peroxides in both isolated rat liver and brain mitochondria, in order to evaluate the involvement of the redox state in this mechanism, and to compare its effect in both types of mitochondria. In liver mitochondria peroxides are able to inhibit spermine transport. This effect is indicative of redox regulation by the transporter, probably due to the presence of critical thiol groups along the transport pathway, or in close association with it, with different accessibility for the peroxides and performing different functions. In brain mitochondria, peroxides have several effects, supporting the hypothesis of a different regulation of spermine transport. The fact that peroxovanadate can inhibit tyrosine phosphatases in brain mitochondria suggests that mitochondrial spermine transport is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation in this organ. In this regard, the evaluation of spermine transport in the presence of Src inhibitors suggests the involvement of Src family kinases in this process. It is possible that phosphorylation sites for Src kinases are present in the channel pathway and have an inhibitory effect on spermine transport under regulation by Src kinases. The results of this study suggest that the activity of the spermine transporter probably depends on the redox and/or tyrosine phosphorylation state of mitochondria, and that its regulation may be different in distinct organs.     

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activation in Mesocortical 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethylamine Neurons Following Footshock

Mild electric footshock resulted in activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in prefrontal cortex of mice and rats. In mice, the activation was also observed following restraint. Shock-evoked activation of prefrontal cortex TH was characterized by a decrease of apparent Km for the pterin cofactor 6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin and an increase of Vmax. Activation of prefrontal cortical TH was also demonstrated in vitro following preincubation under conditions that activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Treatment of mice with the noradrenergic neurotoxin N-2-chloroethyl-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) caused a 70% decrease in prefrontal cortex norepinephrine levels but had no significant effect on the activity of TH in that brain region. Footshock resulted in the activation of prefrontal cortex TH of DSP-4-treated mice, suggesting that shock-evoked activation of the enzyme occurs in terminals of mesocortical 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine neurons.     

Depolarization-stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis: involvement of protein kinases and tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation sites in situ

Depolarizing stimuli increase catecholamine (CA) biosynthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, and TH phosphorylation at Ser19, Ser31, and Ser40 in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. However, the identities of the protein kinases that phosphorylate TH under depolarizing conditions are not known. Furthermore, although increases in Ser31 or Ser40 phosphorylation increase TH activity in vitro, the relative influence of phosphorylation at these sites on CA biosynthesis under depolarizing conditions is not known. We investigated the participation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in elevated K(+)-stimulated TH phosphorylation in PC12 cells using an ERK pathway inhibitor, PD98059, and PKA-deficient PC12 cells (A126-B1). In the same paradigm, we measured CA biosynthesis. TH phosphorylation stoichiometry (PS) was determined by quantitative blot-immunolabeling using site- and phosphorylation state-specific antibodies. Treatment with elevated K(+) (+ 58 mM) for 5 min increased TH PS at each site in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Pretreatment with PD98059 prevented elevated K(+)-stimulated increases in ERK phosphorylation and Ser31 PS. In A126-B1 cells, Ser40 PS was not significantly increased by forskolin, and elevated K(+)-stimulated Ser40 PS was three- to five-fold less than that in PC12 cells. In both cell lines, CA biosynthesis was increased 1.5-fold after treatment with elevated K(+) and was prevented by pretreatment with PD98059. These results suggest that ERK phosphorylates TH at Ser31 and that PKA phosphorylates TH at Ser40 under depolarizing conditions. They also suggest that the increases in CA biosynthesis under depolarizing conditions are associated with the ERK-mediated increases in Ser31 PS.     

Substrate-mediated enhancement of phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase in nigrostriatal dopamine neurons: evidence for a role of alpha-synuclein

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein, phosphorylated at serine-40, serine-31 and serine-19, and enzyme catalytic activity were compared under basal conditions and in activated nigrostriatal dopamine (NSDA) neurons of wild-type and homozygous alpha-synuclein knockout mice. Mice were injected with the D2 antagonist raclopride to stimulate NSDA neuronal activity in the presence or absence of supplemental l-tyrosine. There was no difference in phosphorylated TH levels or TH catalytic activity between wild-type and alpha-synuclein knockout mice under basal conditions or following raclopride-induced acceleration of NSDA activity. In wild-type animals, tyrosine administration potentiated the raclopride-induced increase in phosphorylated TH and enzyme activity. However, tyrosine administration did not enhance phosphorylated TH levels or enzyme catalytic activity in raclopride-stimulated NSDA neurons in alpha-synuclein knockout mice. These findings suggest that alpha-synuclein plays a role in the ability of tyrosine to either enhance TH phosphorylation or hinder TH inactivation during accelerated neuronal activity. The present study supports the hypothesis that alpha-synuclein functions as a molecular chaperone protein that regulates the phosphorylation state of TH in a substrate and activity-dependent manner.     

多巴胺类似物抑制二氢蝶啶还原酶的研究

多巴胺类似物对二氢蝶啶还原酶有明显的非竞争性抑制作用(Ki或I_(50)值为10~(-5)—10~(-6)mol/L)。其中阿朴吗啡是最强的抑制剂之一(Ki或I~(50)=1-2×10~(-6)mol/L)。由于酪氨酸羟化酶和二氢蝶啶还原酶包含于同一酶促反应过程中,且限制了多巴胺合成的决定速度的那一步。这些结果可能提示出被多巴胺抑制的酪氨酸羟化作用包含着对这二种酶的抑制作用。     

Histamine activates tyrosine hydroxylase in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells through a pathway that involves ERK1/2 but not p38 or JNK

In bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (BACC) histamine promotes a rapid increase in the intracellular levels of Ca2+ together with the release of catecholamines and the phosphorylation of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In this study we investigated the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), stress activated protein kinase (p38) and Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) on the histamine-induced activation and phosphorylation of TH. We found that in BACC histamine produced a rapid, long lasting and histamine type-1 (H1) receptor-dependent increase in the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK which was accompanied by a H1 receptor-dependent increase in TH activity. This increase in TH activity was partially blocked by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 but was unaffected by the p38 antagonist SB203580 or the JNK blocker JNKI1. To study the effect of MAPK inhibition on histamine-induced TH phosphorylation, we generated phospho-specific antibodies against the different phosphorylated forms of TH. Treatment with U0126 totally inhibited the histamine-induced phosphorylation of TH at Ser31, without affecting the phosphorylation of either Ser40 or Ser19. Neither SB203580 nor JNKI1 treatments produced any significant modification of the histamine-induced TH phosphorylation. Our data support the hypothesis that the up-regulation of the ERK1/2 pathway, but not that of p38 or JNK, promoted by histamine is involved in the phosphorylation of TH at Ser31 and that this phosphorylation event is required for the full activation of this enzyme.     

Biochemical characterization of galloyl pedunculagin (ellagitannin) as a selective inhibitor of the beta-regulatory subunit of A-kinase in vitro

The inhibitory effects of galloyl pedunculagin (GP) and eugeniin on the phosphorylation of histone H2B by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) and autophosphorylation of its beta-regulatory subunit (A-kinase beta) were examined in vitro. It was found that (i) GP (ID(50) = approx. 50 nM) effectively inhibits the activity of A-kinase (heterodimer), but high doses are required to inhibit the activities of the alpha-catalytic subunit (ID(50) = approx. 0.25 microM) and casein kinase II (CK-II, ID(50) = approx. 0.6 microM); (ii) GP inhibits the autophosphorylation of A-kinase beta in a dose-dependent manner with an ID(50) of approx. 6.6 nM, which is about 30-fold lower than that observed with CK-II beta; and (iii) GP reduces the suppressive effect of the beta-subunit on the activity of the alpha-subunit. In addition, purified bovine heart A-kinase precipitates when incubated with excess GP at pH 5.0. A similar precipitation of A-kinase was observed with eugeniin. These results show that the direct binding of GP to the beta-subunit prevents the physiological interaction between the beta- and alpha-subunits of A-kinase in vitro. This conclusion is presumably consistent with the binding affinity of proline-rich proteins with tannins, since A-kinase beta contains a proline-rich domain that interacts with GP or eugeniin. Therefore, GP will serve as a powerful inhibitor for in vitro and in vivo cellular studies of A-kinase beta-mediated signal transduction.     

Effects of Catechol Estrogens1 and Catecholamines on Hypothalamic and Corpus Striatal Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity

Abstract: The effects of catechol estrogens on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in hypothalamic and corpus striatal extracts were evaluated. When assayed in the presence of subsaturating concentrations of pterin cofactor, tyrosine hydroxylase activity was depressed by 2-hydroxyestrone, 2-hydroxyestradiol, Lnorepinephrine, or dopamine. However, estrone, 17β-estradiol, 2- methoxyestrone, or 2-methoxyestradiol had no consistent inhibitory effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity under in vitro conditions. Moreover, a decrease in pterin binding affinity (elevated K_m) in the presence of either catecholamines or 2-hydroxyestrogens was found. These findings were suggestive of a competitive interaction between catechols and pterin. Catechol estrogens and catecholamines were shown to inhibit both membrane-bound and soluble forms of tyrosine hydroxylase. The membrane-bound form of tyrosine hydroxylase, however, was found to have a greater binding affinity (lower K_l) for 2hydroxyestradiol and norepinephrine than did the soluble form. The results of the present study are suggestive of a cytoplasmic effect of estrogen that may be mediated by 2-hydroxyestrogen and terminated by O-methylation.     

Catalytic properties of a human cytomegalovirus-induced protein kinase

Human cytomegalovirus, a DNA virus whose genome contains a fragment of transforming DNA, induces a threonine-serine protein kinase having a molecular mass of 68 kDa (p68). p68 was extracted from cells 96-144 h after infection, and immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody (F6b). Antibody-enzyme complexes were immobilized on heat/formaldehyde-inactivated Staphylococcus aureus. The best substrates for p68 were acidic proteins, phosvitin and casein. Glycogen synthase, phosphorylase alpha and histones were phosphorylated at rates not higher than 1-4% that obtained with phosvitin as substrate. ATP and GTP were equally good substrates of p68. p68 is able to autophosphorylate at the same residues (i.e. threonine and serine) as the protein substrates. Autophosphorylation does not seem to represent an intermediate in substrate phosphorylation. The protein kinase activity of p68 was not enhanced by cAMP, calcium ions, or polyamines like spermine or spermidine. Only at low Mg2+ concentration spermine enhanced by 68% the rate of casein phosphorylation. Heparin, a potent inhibitor of casein kinase II, inhibits p68 activity too, but ten-times higher concentrations were required for the same degree of inhibition. Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, acts as a strong inhibitor of p68 protein kinase activity. The inhibitory effect of quercetin was competitive towards the nucleotide substrate (Ki = 2.8 microM), and non-competitive towards the protein substrate (Ki = 15 microM).     

Serine 129 Phosphorylation Reduces the Ability of ��-Synuclein to Regulate Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Protein Phosphatase 2A in Vitro and in Vivo

α-Synuclein (a-Syn), a protein implicated in Parkinson disease, contributes significantly to dopamine metabolism. a-Syn binding inhibits the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Phosphorylation of TH stimulates its activity, an effect that is reversed by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In cells, a-Syn overexpression activates PP2A. Here we demonstrate that a-Syn significantly inhibited TH activity in vitro and in vivo and that phosphorylation of a-Syn serine 129 (Ser-129) modulated this effect. In MN9D cells, a-Syn overexpression reduced TH serine 19 phosphorylation (Ser(P)-19). In dopaminergic tissues from mice overexpressing human a-Syn in catecholamine neurons only, TH-Ser-19 and TH-Ser-40 phosphorylation and activity were also reduced, whereas PP2A was more active. Cerebellum, which lacks excess a-Syn, had PP2A activity identical to controls. Conversely, a-Syn knock-out mice had elevated TH-Ser-19 phosphorylation and activity and less active PP2A in dopaminergic tissues. Using an a-Syn Ser-129 dephosphorylation mimic, with serine mutated to alanine, TH was more inhibited, whereas PP2A was more active in vitro and in vivo. Phosphorylation of a-Syn Ser-129 by Polo-like-kinase 2 in vitro reduced the ability of a-Syn to inhibit TH or activate PP2A, identifying a novel regulatory role for Ser-129 on a-Syn. These findings extend our understanding of normal a-Syn biology and have implications for the dopamine dysfunction of Parkinson disease.     

Polyamines and polyamino acids regulation of cytosolic tyrosine protein (Tyr-P) kinase from human erythrocytes.

In vitro regulation of cytosolic tyrosine protein (Tyr-P) kinase from human erythrocytes by polyamines, polyamino acids, negative charged compounds or by insulin using angiotensin II or poly (Glu-Tyr)4:1 as substrates was studied. All the three polyamines, putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) stimulated the Tyr-P kinase activity in a dose dependent manner. Spm stimulated Tyr-P kinase activity higher than Put and Spd whether the substrate was angiotension II or poly (Glu-Tyr)4:1. Polyamino acids (polyornithine, polyarginine, polyglutamic acid and polyaspartic acid) did not affect significantly the Tyr-P kinase phosphorylation except polylysine which significantly stimulated the Tyr-P kinase activity. Negative charged compounds (chondroitin sulfate A, B and C) and heparin inhibited the Tyr-P kinase phosphorylation while insulin did not influence the enzyme activity in the presence of either substrates.     

Effects of haloperidol and melatonin on the in situ activity of nigrostriatal tyrosine hydroxylase in male Syrian hamsters

Haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug, was tested for its effects on the in situ activity of nigrostriatal and hypothalamic tyrosine hydroxylase, in control male Syrian hamsters and in those receiving a high daily dose of melatonin. After receiving daily ip injections (1.25 mg/kg ip) of haloperidol for 21 days, the animals were sacrificed and brain tissue collected for analysis of dopamine and metabolites by HPLC with electrochemical detection. In situ activity of tyrosine hydroyxlase (TH) activity was determined by measuring the accumulation of L-Dopa after administration of the L amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, mhydroxybenzylhydrazine. Tissue content of dopamine and its metabolites, DOPAC and HVA, was depressed in striatum of animals receiving haloperidol, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was significantly decreased 20-24 h after the last injection (from 1823 +/- 63 to 1139 +/- 85 pg l-dopa/mg tissue). The decrease in TH activity in striatum was significantly inhibited by daily injections of a high dose of melatonin (2.5 mg/kg ip) (from 1139 +/- 85 to 1560 +/- 116 pg L-dopa/mg tissue). In the substantia nigra and in the hypothalamus, on the other hand, haloperidol significantly increased the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase. Melatonin administration did not significantly influence TH activity in the substantia nigra, but inhibited TH activity in the hypothalamus and in the pontine brainstem. One explanation for these data is that chronic haloperidol administration in Syrian hamsters increases TH activity in hypothalamus and substantia nigra, but decreases TH activity in striatum by a mechanism involving D2 presynaptic receptors and a melatonin sensitive kinase which regulates TH phosphorylation.