Description
Tyrosine decarboxylase catalyzes the removal of the carboxyl group from tyrosine to produce tyramine and carbon dioxide. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is a necessary cofactor. By using the apoenzyme prepared from cells grown on a vitamin B6 deficient medium pyridoxal phosphate may be determined. The HOLOenzyme may be used to determine tyrosine, phenylalanine and dihydroxyphenylalanine either manometrically or colorimetrically.L-Tyrosine decarboxylase apoenzyme from Streptococcus faecalis has been used in a study to purify and characterize tyrosine decarboxylase and aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase.L-Tyrosine decarboxylase apoenzyme from Streptococcus faecalis has also been used in a study to investigate the stereospecificity of sodium borohydride reduction of tyrosine decarboxylase.One Unit yields 1µmole of CO2 per minute from L-tyrosine at 37°C, pH 5.5. The APOenzyme activity is measured in the presence of excess pyridoxal phosphate