Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase

Regulation of gene expression of dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), two of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes, by cyclic AMP, diacyl glycerol, and Ca2+ leads to increased neurotransmitter biosynthesis.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline and is expressed selectively in noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons in the nervous system. The disruption of the DBH gene is thought to cause changes in development and behavior in certain models. Both DBH and the multiple regulatory pathways of DBH are of increasing research in many neurological diseases.