GTP cyclohydrolase I induction in striatal astrocytes following intrastriatal kainic acid lesion

The cause of premature death of dopamine neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease remains unknown. It is speculated that damaging reactive species resulting from the metabolism of dopamine, nitric oxide, and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) may be involved. GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of BH(4), an essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase and nitric oxide synthase in dopamine and nitric …