Tryptophan hydroxylase
Tryptophan Hydroxylase (pronounced: trip-toe-fan hy-drox-i-lase) is an enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is one of the several biochemical reactions that take place in the serotonin pathway.
Etymology
The term "Tryptophan Hydroxylase" is derived from the amino acid tryptophan, which is the substrate for this enzyme, and the term "hydroxylase", which refers to the type of chemical reaction it catalyzes.
Function
Tryptophan Hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which is the first and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of serotonin. This reaction requires tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) as a cofactor and molecular oxygen (O2) as a substrate.
Related Terms
- Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that is synthesized from tryptophan by the action of Tryptophan Hydroxylase and other enzymes.
- Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4): A cofactor required for the function of Tryptophan Hydroxylase.
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): The product of the reaction catalyzed by Tryptophan Hydroxylase.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals across a neuron to another neuron or target effector cell.
- Enzyme: Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.
- Biosynthesis: The production of complex molecules within living organisms or cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tryptophan hydroxylase
- Wikipedia's article - Tryptophan hydroxylase
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