Dopa Decarboxylase (DDC)

DOPA decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.28) is an enzyme implicated in 2 metabolic pathways, synthesizing 2 important neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. Following the hydroxylation of tyrosine to form L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), catalyzed by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), DDC decarboxylates L-DOPA to form dopamine. This neurotransmitter is found in different areas of the brain and is particularly abundant in basal ganglia. Dopamine is also produced by DDC in the sympathetic nervous system and is the precursor of the catecholaminergic hormones, noradrenaline and adrenaline in the adrenal medulla. In the nervous system, tryptophan hydroxylase produces 5-OH tryptophan, which is decarboxylated by DDC, giving rise to serotonin. DDC is a homodimeric, pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme.