The effect of plasma valine, isoleucine and leucine on the control of the flux through tyrosine- and tryptophan-hydroxylase in the brain.

The effect of increasing blood levels of valine, isoleucine and leucine on the fluxes through tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase in brain has been calculated and analysed in terms of flux control coefficients. It is concluded that any beneficial effect of increasing the concentration of these amino acids in phenylketonuria patients is not due to a decrease in brain phenylalanine or an improved neurotransmitter synthesis through tyrosine or tryptophan hydroxylase.