A nonessential
amino acid which is derived by the body from
phenylalanine. Tyrosine is used to make the
neurotransmitters dopamine,
norepinephrine, and
epinephrine by combining with
vitamin B6,
folic acid, and
copper; it is also used to make the skin pigmentation
melanin.
A lack of tyrosine can result in depression or Parkinson's disease. People affected by Phenylketonuria cannot metabolize phenylalanine, and therefore tend to lack tyrosine as well.
Dietary supplements can be taken in the form of L-Tyrosine. Dairy products, meat, fish, wheat, oats, and many other foods also contain tyrosine.
structural formula of tyrosine:
H H
\ /
C == C H H O
/ \ | | //
O -- C C -- C -- C -- C -- O
| \\ // | | \
H C -- C H N H
/ \ / \
H H H H
tyrosine
C9H11NO3