dihydroxyphenylalanine

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dihydroxyphenylalanine

[¦dī‚hī¦dräk·sē‚fen·əl′al·ə‚nēn]

(biochemistry)

C₉H₁₁NO₄ An amino acid that can be formed by oxidation of tyrosine; it is converted by a series of biochemical transformations, utilizing the enzyme dopa oxidase, to melanins. Also known as dopa.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Catecholamines and dihydroxyphenylalanine in metamorphosing larvae of the nudibranch Phestilla sibogae Bergh (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia).

Loss of sensory elements in the apical sensory organ during metamorphosis in the nudibranch Phestilla sibogae

It is thought to be produced when tyrosine, an amino acid in the skin, is oxidized by the enzyme tyrosinase to form 3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), which is further oxidized by UV light and the catalyst tyrosinase to form an indole derivative which polymerizes to melanin.

SHEDDING NEW LIGHT ON THE USES OF MELANIN

The modified amino acid, called dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), has two functions.