Nacetyldopamine

Nacetyldopamine, also called N-acetyl-dopamine, is the acetylated derivative of dopamine in which the primary amine is converted to an amide. It is a catecholamine-like molecule characterized by a 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl backbone with an acetyl group on the amino nitrogen.

In insects, Nacetyldopamine is produced from dopamine by the action of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase using acetyl-CoA as the acetyl donor. The compound can be oxidized by phenoloxidases to form reactive o-quinones.

Oxidation products then participate in cross-linking reactions that harden and pigment the cuticle, a process known as sclerotization or tanning. Nacetyldopamine and related N-acylated catecholamines contribute to the formation of a durable exoskeleton through covalent polymerization with cuticular proteins and chitin.

Within biology, Nacetyldopamine is primarily studied in arthropods, where sclerotization is essential for molting and locomotion. It is not a major neurotransmitter or common metabolite in vertebrates, and its physiological role outside insects is limited.

Analytically, Nacetyldopamine is detected by chromatographic methods coupled to mass spectrometry and is often discussed in the context of insect biochemistry and biomaterial science.