Technical Information Amino Acids Tyrosine

Tyrosine

L-Tyrosine, also known as tyrosine, denoted by the symbol Tyr or Y, or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, is one of the 20 standard amino acids utilized by cells for protein synthesis. It is a non-essential amino acid featuring a polar side group. The term "tyrosine" originates from the Greek word "tyrós," meaning cheese, as it was first discovered by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1846 within the protein casein derived from cheese. Although tyrosine is generally categorized as a hydrophobic amino acid, it exhibits higher hydrophilicity compared to phenylalanine. In addition to its role as a proteinogenic amino acid, tyrosine possesses special significance due to its phenol functionality. It is present in proteins involved in signal transduction processes and acts as a receiver of phosphate groups transferred by protein kinases. A tyrosine residue also plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, particularly in chloroplasts (photosystem II), where it serves as an electron donor in the reduction of oxidized chlorophyll. In messenger RNA, tyrosine is encoded by the codons UAC and UAU.

Structure
CAS Number 60-18-4
Classification

Polar amino acids, including

Cysteine

Glycine

Glutamine

Threonine

Tyrosine

Serine

Asparagine
Categories
Tyrosine Biosynthesis Compounds
617-12-9 Chorismate
126-49-8 Prephenate
53078-86-7 L-Arogenate
60-18-4 L-Tyrosine

Tyrosine and Derivatives:

Derivatives: