Nitric oxide production in cathecolamine transporter knockout mice

Cathecolamine transporters, such as dopaminetransporter (DAT) and vesicularmonoamine transporter2 (VMAT2), change the compartmentalization of monoamine neurotransmitters including dopamine. Normal or increased dopamine levels influence redox potentials, which possibly interact with striatal production of nitrous oxides, such as nitrite and nitrate. To assess the effects of a 50% reduction in DAT or VMAT2 on these processes, we have detected the baseline and l-DOPA-induced levels of nitrite and nitrate in wildtype and in heterozygous DAT and VMAT2 knockout mice(KO) mice through in vivo microdialysis.