Catecholamines and the hydroxylation of tyrosine in synaptosomes isolated from rat brain.

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity of synaptosomes isolated from rat brain was examined. A modified tritium-displacement assay was used, which allowed the measurement of tyrosine hydroxylase activity without the addition of either inhibitors of the metabolism of the hydroxylated products or added exogenous cofactor. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by the addition of exogenous catecholamines and 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenyl-alanine. Aromatic amines other than catechols did not markedly influence tyrosine hydroxylase activity. These in vitro findings support the hypothesis that synthesis of catecholamines is regulated by a mechanism of end-product inhibition at the tyrosine hydroxylase step.