3516 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin that causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson's disease by killing certain neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. While MPTP itself does not have opioid effects, it is related to MPPP, a synthetic opioid drug with effects similar to those of heroin and morphine. MPTP can be accidentally produced during the illicit manufacture of MPPP, and that is how its Parkinson-inducing effects were first discovered. MPTP is used to recreate and study the Parkinson's disease in experimental animal models. (L1670) 28289-54-5 1388 C12H15N 173.120450 White powder. 40-42°C 85-90 °C (at 0.8 mm Hg) MPTP itself is not toxic, and as a lipophilic compound can cross the blood-brain barrier. Once inside the brain, MPTP is metabolized into the toxic cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) by the enzyme MAO-B of glial cells. MPP+ primarily kills dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the brain called the pars compacta of the substantia nigra. MPP+ interferes with complex I of the electron transport chain, a component of mitochondrial metabolism, which leads to cell death and causes the buildup of free radicals, toxic molecules that contribute further to cell destruction. (L1670) In the brain, MPTP is metabolized into the toxic cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) by the enzyme MAO-B of glial cells. (L1670) LD50: 54 mg/kg (Subcutaneous, Mouse) (A2830) No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin that causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson's disease by killing certain neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. MPTP can be accidentally produced during the illicit manufacture of MPPP, and that is how its Parkinson-inducing effects were first discovered. MPTP is used to recreate and study the Parkinson's disease in experimental animal models. Because MPTP itself is not directly harmful, toxic effects of acute MPTP poisoning can be mitigated by the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline. MAOIs prevent the metabolism of MPTP to MPP+ by inhibiting the action of MAO-B, minimizing toxicity and preventing neural death. (L1670) 2009-07-30T17:58:35Z 2026-04-03T20:26:53Z http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine C04599 17963 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine true CN1CCC(=CC1)C1=CC=CC=C1 C12H15N InChI=1S/C12H15N/c1-13-9-7-12(8-10-13)11-5-3-2-4-6-11/h2-7H,8-10H2,1H3 PLRACCBDVIHHLZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 173.2542 173.120449485 Exogenous Solid CHEMBL24172 1346 CHEM002501 DTXSID8040933 NS00028451 3.24 57.4697 21.0198709261667 1 1 0 8.536230596709382 1 2 2.69 -1.43 6.42e+00 g/l