Abstract
EVIDENCE has recently been presented which demonstrated a lowered level of circulating 5-hydroxytryptamine in patients with phenylketonuria1. The condition is associated with production of an excess of certain aromatic acid metabolites of phenylalanine, which it has been claimed inhibit dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase2. It was suggested that this inhibitory effect was an explanation of the low plasma levels of adrenaline found in phenylketonuria. As 5-hydroxytryptamine is derived from 5-hydroxytryptophan by the action of 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase3 it was decided to examine the effect of these aromatic acids on this enzyme system also.
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DAVISON, A., SANDLER, M. Inhibition of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase by Phenylalanine Metabolites. Nature 181, 186–187 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/181186b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/181186b0
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