Tyrosinase
Tyrosinase
Tyrosinase (pronounced: tie-row-sin-ace) is an oxidase that is the rate-limiting enzyme for controlling the production of melanin. The enzyme is mainly involved in two distinct reactions of melanin synthesis; firstly, the hydroxylation of a monophenol and secondly, the conversion of an o-diphenol to the corresponding o-quinone. o-Quinone undergoes several reactions to eventually form melanin. Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme present in plant and animal tissues that catalyzes the production of melanin and other pigments from tyrosine by oxidation.
Etymology
The term "Tyrosinase" was derived from the Greek word "tyros" meaning cheese, as the enzyme was first discovered in cheese. The suffix "-ase" is used in biochemistry to denote enzymes.
Function
Tyrosinase carries out the oxidation of phenols such as tyrosine and dopamine using dioxygen (O2). In humans, the tyrosinase enzyme is encoded by the TYR gene. A mutation in the tyrosinase gene resulting in impaired tyrosinase production leads to type I oculocutaneous albinism, a hereditary disorder that affects one in every 17,000 people.
Related Terms
- Melanin: The pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their color.
- Tyrosine: An amino acid that is used by cells to synthesize proteins.
- Oculocutaneous albinism: A group of conditions that affect coloring (pigmentation) of the skin, hair, and eyes.
- TYR gene: The gene that provides instructions for making an enzyme called tyrosinase.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tyrosinase
- Wikipedia's article - Tyrosinase
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