Molecular genetics of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase and inherited diseases

Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (tyrosine hydroxylase, TH) catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting step in the catecholamine biosynthesis. Alteration in TH activity is involved in the pathogenesis of certain disorders derived from catecholaminergic dysfunction. In the present review, we focus on recent advances in molecular genetic study of TH function and inherited diseases. Knockout mice lacking TH gene show severe catecholamine depletion and perinatal lethality. Mice heterozygous for the TH mutation exhibit defects in some neuropsychological functions. Dopamine-deficient mice impair motor control and operant learning during postnatal development. In addition, some point mutations in the human TH gene underlie the inherited diseases, including the recessive form of L-DOPA-responsive dystonia, parkinsonism in infancy, or progressive encephalopathy. These mutations indeed appear to reduce TH activity or influence expression of TH protein. Advances in molecular genetic studies provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between the alteration in TH activity and the pathology of catecholaminergic systems.