Dopamine synthesis, uptake, metabolism, and receptors: relevance to gene therapy of Parkinson's disease.

This article gives a brief overview of the current understanding of the life cycle of the dopamine molecule, covering dopamine synthesis, storage, release, receptor and autoreceptor interactions, and reuptake. Special consideration is given to biochemical changes that occur in the nigrostriatal dopamine system in Parkinson's disease and how gene therapy may provide a new strategy for reversing parkinsonian biochemical deficits.