Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A copper-containing enzyme of plant and animal tissues that catalyzes the production of melanin and other pigments from tyrosine by oxidation, as in the blackening of a peeled or sliced potato exposed to air.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An oxidizing ferment which acts upon tyrosin and leads to the formation of various black substances which are known only in part. The formation of homogentisic acid (alkapton) is probably referable to a tyrosinase. The black pigment secreted by the octopus is produced in this manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An enzyme, similar to catechol oxidase, that catalyzes the production of phenolic pigments such as melanin.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

tyrosine +‎ -ase

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Examples

  • It actually helps block an enzyme called tyrosinase which is needed to make melanin.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2008

  • It actually helps block an enzyme called tyrosinase which is needed to make melanin.

    Epinions Recent Content for Home 2008

  • Hydrogen peroxide attacks an enzyme called tyrosinase, which starts the production of melanin.

    COSMOS magazine - The science of everything 2009

  • The gene alters the amino acid tyrosinase which is a necessary building block for the proteins that pigment hair and skin.

    Snowflakes Field Notes 2006

  • The gene alters the amino acid tyrosinase which is a necessary building block for the proteins that pigment hair and skin.

    Archive 2006-11-01 Field Notes 2006

  • Not only that, but high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of MSR A and B disrupt the formation of yet another enzyme, called tyrosinase, that leads to the production of hair pigments.

    The old gray hair, she ain’t what she used to be ewillett 2009

  • Not only that, but high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of MSR A and B disrupt the formation of yet another enzyme, called tyrosinase, that leads to the production of hair pigments.

    The old gray hair, she ain’t what she used to be ewillett 2009

  • It includes tyrosinase activity (melanin is synthesed from tyrosine), DOPA production (used in threatment of Parkinson disease and depression) and in many other metabolytical pathways.

    Just call him/her Ol’ Blue Eyes 2010

  • It works by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase inside the melanocytes that makes melanin.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

  • It works by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase inside the melanocytes that makes melanin.

    Simple Skin Beauty Ellen Marmur 2009

Comments

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  • Wow... blackened potato slices and the black pigment secreted by the octopus. I love it!

    September 3, 2010

  • This sounds like the love child of Tyrone Power and Gary Sinise. Just saying.

    September 3, 2010

  • Are you suggesting that Gary Sinise is an octopus?

    September 3, 2010

  • You said it, not me.

    September 3, 2010

  • Yeah... I could see it.

    September 3, 2010