Tyrosine hydroxylase

Tyrosine hydroxylase, also called tyrosine 3-monooxygenase, is an enzyme that converts the amino acid L-tyrosine to L-DOPA using molecular oxygen, iron and tetrahydrobiopterin. L-DOPA is a precursor of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. The enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step of catecholamine synthesis. In humans, it is encoded by the TH gene and occurs in the central nervous system, peripheral sympathetic neurons and adrenal medulla.

Also called

Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase

Reaction

Converts L-tyrosine to L-DOPA

Human gene

TH gene