Role of DOPA decarboxylase and N-acetyl transferase in regulation of dopamine content in Drosophila virilis under normal and heat stress conditions

Abstract

Activity levels of DOPA decarboxylase (DDC), an enzyme responsible for dopamine (DA) synthesis, and of N-acetyl transferase (NAT), an enzyme responsible for its degradation, were studied under normal and stress conditions in two lines of Drosophila virilis which are in contrast concerning their DA content under normal conditions and its alterations under stress. Interlinear differences in DDC activity were detected, and genetic analysis was carried out. It was found out that neither DDC nor NAT activity in D. virilis changed under stress. Based on the results of this study and data obtained earlier by the authors, a mechanism of DA content control under normal and stress conditions was proposed.