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ArticlesCopyright © 1986 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Selectivity of the parkinsonian neurotoxin MPTP: toxic metabolite MPP+ binds to neuromelanin
Methylphenyltetrahydropyridine (MPTP) selectively destroys neuronal cell bodies in the melanin-containing substantia nigra of humans and other primates. We show that methylphenylpyridine (MPP+), an active metabolite of MPTP which is accumulated intraneuronally by the catecholamine uptake system, binds with high affinity to melanin and neuromelanin. MPP+ bound intracellularly to neuromelanin may be released gradually, resulting in subsequent damage to the neurons of the substantia nigra.
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)