Tyrosine phenol-lyase

The enzyme tyrosine phenol-lyase catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * L -tyrosine + H2O $$\rightleftharpoons$$ phenol + pyruvate + NH3

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically in the "catch-all" class of carbon-carbon lyases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is  L -tyrosine phenol-lyase (deaminating; pyruvate-forming). Other names in common use include beta-tyrosinase, and  L -tyrosine phenol-lyase (deaminating). This enzyme participates in tyrosine metabolism and nitrogen metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, five structures have been solved for this class of enzyme, with PDB accession codes, , , , and.