tyrosinase

American  

[tahy-roh-si-neys, -neyz, tir-oh-] / ˈtaɪ roʊ sɪˌneɪs, -ˌneɪz, ˈtɪr oʊ- /

noun

Biochemistry.

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

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tyrosinase British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of tyrosinase

First recorded in 1895–1900; tyrosine + -ase

Example Sentences

It can also cause skin lightening by converting melanin to a lighter color and deactivating the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps produce the pigment.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2017

The nonscientific visitor," said the Los Angeles Bureau's John Koffend, "is bound to get lost, even with a guide, in an atmosphere charged with pi-mesons, v-particles, tyrosinase and halogenated cyclobutane carboxylic acid.

From Time Magazine Archive

It has recently been ascertained that the coloration of certain sponges is due to the interaction of an oxydizing ferment, tyrosinase, upon certain colourless chromogenic substances.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

Whether albinoes carry the tyrosinase or other ferment, or whether they carry the chromogen or chromogens, is not yet settled.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

Hans Przibram also extracted a tyrosinase from the ink-sac of Sepia, and, causing it to act upon a watery solution of tyrosin, obtained a black pigment.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg