TYROSINASE

The Uses of TYROSINASE

Tyrosinase activity has been assessed in a study that developed an alternative therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase has also been used in a study to investigate the oculocutaneous albinism phenotype in the Pakistani population.

General Description

Isoelectric point (pI): 4.7-5
pH optimum is 6-7

Molecular weight: 128 kDa by sedimentation velocity diffusion; 133?kDa by light-scattering measurements, and 119.5 kDa by electrophoresis.

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing oxidase, which has activity for both catechols and cresol. It is responsible for browning reactions. The enzyme is reported to have two binding sites for aromatic substrates and a different binding site for oxygen-copper. The copper is probably Cu(I), with inactivation involving oxidation to Cu(II) ion.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Converts tyrosine to L-DOPA or tyramine to dopamine