tyrosinase

[ tahy-roh-si-neys, -neyz, tir-oh- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an oxidizing enzyme, occurring in plant and animal tissues, that catalyzes the aerobic oxidation of tyrosine into melanin and other pigments.

tyrosinase

/ ˌtaɪrəʊsɪˈneɪz; ˌtɪrəʊ- /

noun

1. an enzyme occurring in many organisms that is a catalyst in the conversion of tyrosine to the pigment melanin; inactivity of this enzyme results in albinism

Word History and Origins

Origin of tyrosinase¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; tyrosine + -ase