Dopamine is a monoamine synthesised in the cytosol from L-tyrosine. Dopamine produced by dopaminergic neurons acts as a neurotransmitter which binds G protein-coupled receptors regulating various processes including locomotor activity, sensory processing, courtship and egg-laying. Dopamine produced by epidermal cells is used for: (i) the synthesis of melanin which is involved in immunity and cuticle pigmentation; and (ii) the production of the cuticle sclerotization precursors, N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD). (Adapted from FBrf0255924 and FBrf0224779.)