Prostaglandin H synthetase-mediated metabolism of dopamine: Implication for Parkinson's disease

Differences in prostaglandin H synthetase (PHS) activity in the substantia nigra of age- and postmortem interval-matched parkinsonian, Alzheimer's, and normal control brain tissue were assessed. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂, an index of PHS activity) was higher in substantia nigra of parkinsonian brain tissue than Alzheimer's or control tissue. Incubation of substantia nigra slices with arachidonic acid (AA) increased PGE₂ synthesis. Dopamine stimulated PHS synthesis of PGE₂. [³H] Dopamine was activated by PHS to electrophilic intermediate(s) that covalently bound to DNA, microtubulin protein, bovine serum albumin, and sulfhydryl reagents. When AA was replaced by hydrogen peroxide, PHS/H₂O₂-supported binding proceeded at rates similar to those observed with PHS/AA. Indomethacin and aspirin inhibited AA-mediated cooxidation of dopamine but not H₂O₂-mediated metabolism. PHS-mediated metabolism of dopamine was not affected by monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Substrate requirements and effects of specific inhibitors suggest cooxidation of dopamine is mediated by the hydroperoxidase activity of PHS. ³²P- postlabeling was used to detect dopamine-DNA adducts. PHS/AA activation of dopamine in the presence of DNA resulted in the formation of five dopamine- DNA adducts, i.e., 23, 43, 114, 70, and 270 amol/μg DNA. DNA adduct formation was PHS, AA, and dopamine dependent. PHS catalyzed cooxidation of dopamine in dopaminergic neuronal degeneration is discussed.