Fenclonine, also known as ''para''-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), acts as a selective and irreversible inhibitor of

tryptophan hydroxylase Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is an enzyme () involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Tyrosine hydroxylase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase together constitute the family of biopterin-dependent aromat ...

, which is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of

serotonin Serotonin () or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Its biological function is complex and multifaceted, modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes such as vomiting and vas ...

. It has been used experimentally to treat

carcinoid syndrome Carcinoid syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome comprising the signs and symptoms that occur secondary to carcinoid tumors. The syndrome includes flushing and diarrhea, and less frequently, heart failure, vomiting and bronchoconstriction. It is ...

, but the side effects, mostly hypersensitivity reactions and psychiatric disturbances, have prevented development for this use. The effects of serotonin depletion from fenclonine are so drastic that serotonin cannot even be detected immunohistochemically within the first day after administration of a control dose. Tryptophan hydroxylase activity can be detected neither in cell bodies or nerve terminals. After one week 10% of control values (the baseline extrapolated for the study) had replenished in the raphe nucleus, and after two weeks from initial treatment as much was again detected in the hypothalamus region. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) levels were at no time affected. It is used in scientific research in humans and animals to investigate the effects of serotonin depletion.

References

Amino acid derivatives Chloroarenes Tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors {{nervous-system-drug-stub

See also

References