Tyrosinase (TYR), a type I membrane protein and copper-containing enzyme, is involved in the production of melanin, the primary pigment found in vertebrates. Tyrosinase is the rate limiting enzyme catalyzing the first two steps in the melanin biosynthesis, converting tyrosine to L-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) and subsequently to DOPAquinone. Tyrosinase is implicated to be an antigen target for melanoma vaccines. Anti-tyrosinase antibodies may be applied for immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma.
