Proportional release of norepinephrine and dopamine-β-hydroxylase from sympathetic nerves

Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, is localized in the vesicles containing catecholamine in sympathetic nerves. This enzyme is released with norepinephrine when the nerves to the guinea pig vas deferens are stimulated in vitro, and the amount of enzyme discharged increases as the length of stimulation periods increases. The amount of DBH released is proportional to the amount of norepinephrine released, and the ratio of norepinephrine to DBH discharged into the incubation medium is similar to that in the soluble portion of the contents of the synaptic vesicles from the vas deferens. These data are compatible with the release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine and DBH from sympathetic nerves by a process of exocytosis.