A Color Sensor for Catecholamines

摘要

Catecholamines are characterized by their phenylethylamine skeleton,which carry two phenolic ortho-hydroxy groups.The level of these and related compounds in blood and urine reflects the biodegradation efficiency of aromatic amino acids,especially tyrosine,and plays an important role in diagnostic purposes.Patients suffering from phaeochromocy-toma display a critically elevated concentration of the catecholamine adrenaline in their blood which inevitably leads to heart failure and death.Malfunction of the catecholamine dopamine-responsive neurons is a key feature for Parkinson's disease.