l-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine induces ptosis through a GPR143-independent mechanism in mice

Through its conversion to dopamine by aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) replenishes depleted brain dopamine in Parkinson's disease patients. We recently identified GPR143 as a candidate receptor for l-DOPA. In this study, we investigated the behavioral actions of l-DOPA in wild type (wt) and Gpr143-deficient mice. l-DOPA dose-dependently (10-100 mg/kg, i.p.) induced ptosis under treatment with 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine, a centrally acting AADC inhibitor. This effect was not mimicked by 3-O-methyldopa. l-DOPA-induced ptosis in Gpr143-deficient mice to a similar extent as in wt mice. These results suggest that l-DOPA induces ptosis in a GPR143-independent fashion in mice.