Dopachrome is a cyclization product of
L-DOPA
-DOPA, also known as levodopa and -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, is an amino acid that is made and used as part of the normal biology of some plants and animals, including humans. Humans, as well as a portion of the other animals that utilize -DOPA ...
and is an intermediate in the
biosynthesis
Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecules. ...
of
melanin
Melanin (; from el, μέλας, melas, black, dark) is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino ...
.
It may
tautomerise to form
DHICA
DHICA (5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of melanin. It may tautomerise to form Dopachrome
Dopachrome is a cyclization product of L-DOPA and is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of melanin. It may t ...
.
See also
*
Dopachrome tautomerase
Dopachrome tautomerase (dopachrome delta-isomerase, tyrosine-related protein 2), also known as DCT, is a human gene. Its expression is regulated by the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF).
See also
* Tyrosinase-related prote ...
, a human gene
References
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Indolequinones