Miwa S, Watanabe Y, Koshimura K, Masaki T
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1992 Nov;100(5):367-81. doi: 10.1254/fpj.100.367.
6R-L-erythro-5, 6, 7, 8-Tetrahydrobiopterin (6R-BH4) is known as a cofactor for the hydroxylases of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan and also as a cofactor for nitric oxide synthase. Recently, a novel function of 6R-BH4 has been found: that is, 6R-BH4 acts on specific membrane receptors to directly stimulate the release of monamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, independently of its cofactor activity. In addition, it indirectly stimulates the release of non-monoamine neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and glutamate, through activation of monoaminergic systems. In this paper, we briefly review recent experimental data, which provide new insights into the role of 6R-BH4 as a regulator of neuronal function. We also discuss the possibility of treatment by 6R-BH4 of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression and infantile autism.
6R-L-赤藓糖型-5,6,7,8-四氢生物蝶呤（6R-BH4）是苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸和色氨酸羟化酶的辅助因子，也是一氧化氮合酶的辅助因子。最近，人们发现了6R-BH4的一种新功能：即6R-BH4作用于特定的膜受体，直接刺激多巴胺和5-羟色胺等单胺类神经递质的释放，而与其辅助因子活性无关。此外，它通过激活单胺能系统间接刺激乙酰胆碱和谷氨酸等非单胺类神经递质的释放。在本文中，我们简要回顾了近期的实验数据，这些数据为6R-BH4作为神经元功能调节剂的作用提供了新的见解。我们还讨论了用6R-BH4治疗帕金森病、阿尔茨海默病、抑郁症和儿童自闭症等神经精神疾病的可能性。
