Phenylalanine decarboxylase

The enzyme phenylalanine decarboxylase catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * L -phenylalanine $$\rightleftharpoons$$ phenethylamine + CO2

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the carboxy-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is  L -phenylalanine carboxy-lyase (phenylethylamine-forming). Other names in common use include  L -phenylalanine decarboxylase, aromatic L -amino acid decarboxylase, and  L -phenylalanine carboxy-lyase. This enzyme participates in phenylalanine metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.