Poly(norepinephrine): Ultrasmooth Material-Independent Surface Chemistry and Nanodepot for Nitric Oxide

Abstract

Norepinephrine (NE) is a small-molecule catecholamine which has a variety of functions in the body. The most important function of NE is its role as a neurohormone and neurotransmitter for controlling responsiveness to stress and fear (Figure 1, bottom).[1] In addition to its use in the brain, NE is also released into the bloodstream to maintain heart rate and blood pressure.[2] Catecholamines are also found in underwater living creatures, such as mussels. The adhesive foot proteins in mussels are catecholamine-rich proteins in which the catechol is derived from a side chain of 3,4- dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (DOPA; Figure 1, top), and the amine is a side chain of the basic amino acid lysine. Thus, the robust adhesion of mussels shares an interesting chemical similarity with a variety of other biological functions in neurons.