Dopa-release from mouse neuroblastoma clone N 1 E-115 into the culture medium. A test for tyrosine hydroxylase activity.

Due to a lack of L-Dopa-decarboxylase, the mouse neuroblastoma clone N 1 E-115 contains a high intracellular Dopa-content compared to a low noradrenaline- and dopamine-content. Because of this decarboxylase deficiency, the N 1 E-115 clone releases more than 95% of the produced Dopa into the culture medium. After renewal of the culture medium, Dopa production of the cells can be measured by the increase of Dopa in the medium. Dopa production was linear during 2 h and varied from 50-180 micrograms/mg prot-1 x h-1 between different subcultures. Dopa release into the medium was used as an indirect measure for the tyrosine-hydroxylase activity. Several dopaminergic agonist and antagonists were tested. Dopa production could be blocked dose-dependent by apomorphine (1 X 10(-7)-1 x 10(-6) M), but not by lisuride hydrogen maleate and bromocryptine. Several dopaminergic and adrenergic antagonists failed to reverse the apomorphine induced blockade of the tyrosine-hydroxylase activity.