Effect of lead on tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis and salvage: a cause of neurological dysfunction

Abstract

Biosynthesis of 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrobiopterin is significantly inhibited in vitro by 10‐7M lead acetate whilst salvage by dihydropteridine reductase is irreversibly inhibited by 10‐6M lead acetate. Therefore lead will decrease the hydroxylations of phenylalanine, tyrosine (the rate limiting step in catecholamine biosynthesis) and probably tryptophan. As a result, hyperphenylalaninaemia, deficiency of neurotransmitters and neurological dysfunction can be anticipated.