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Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is an enzyme (EC 1.14.16.4) involved in the synthesis of the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin. Tyrosine hydroxylase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, and tryptophan hydroxylase together constitute the family of biopterin-dependent aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. TPH catalyzes the following chemical reaction

L-tryptophan + tetrahydrobiopterin + O2 5-Hydroxytryptophan + dihydrobiopterin + H2O

It employs one additional cofactor, iron.

Function[edit]

It is responsible for addition of the -OH group (hydroxylation) to the 5 position to form the amino acid 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which is the initial and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is also the first enzyme in the synthesis of melatonin.

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) are members of a superfamily of aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, catalyzing key steps in important metabolic pathways.[1] Analogously to phenylalanine hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, this enzyme uses (6R)-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and dioxygen as cofactors.[2]

In humans, the stimulation of serotonin production by administration of tryptophan has an antidepressant effect[3][4] and inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase (e.g. by p-Chlorophenylalanine) may precipitate depression.[5]

The activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (i.e. the rate at which it converts L-tryptophan into the serotonin precursor L-5-hydroxytryptophan) can be increased when it undergoes phosphorylation. Protein Kinase A, for example, can phosphorylate tryptophan hydroxylase, thus increasing its activity.

Isoforms[edit]

In humans, as well as in other mammals, there are two distinct TPH genes. In humans, these genes are located on chromosomes 11 and 12 and encode two different homologous enzymes TPH1 and TPH2 (sequence identity 71%).[6]

  • TPH1 is mostly expressed in tissues that express serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the periphery (skin, gut, pineal gland) but it is also expressed in the central nervous system.
  • On the other hand, TPH2 is exclusively expressed in neuronal cell types and is the predominant isoform in the central nervous system.

Additional images[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ McKinney J, Teigen K, Frøystein NA, Salaün C, Knappskog PM, Haavik J, Martínez A (December 2001). "Conformation of the substrate and pterin cofactor bound to human tryptophan hydroxylase. Important role of Phe313 in substrate specificity" (PDF). Biochemistry. 40 (51): 15591–601. doi:10.1021/bi015722x. PMID 11747434. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-12-17.
  2. ^ "tetrahydrobiopterin". BH4 Databases. BH4.org. 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-12-06.
  3. ^ Lindseth G, Helland B, Caspers J (April 2015). "The effects of dietary tryptophan on affective disorders". Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 29 (2): 102–7. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2014.11.008. PMC 4393508. PMID 25858202.
  4. ^ Coppen A, Shaw DM, Herzberg B, Maggs R (December 1967). "Tryptophan in the treatment of depression". Lancet. Originally published as Volume 2, Issue 7527. 2 (7527): 1178–80. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(67)91894-6. PMID 4168381.
  5. ^ Wang L, Erlandsen H, Haavik J, Knappskog PM, Stevens RC (October 2002). "Three-dimensional structure of human tryptophan hydroxylase and its implications for the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin". Biochemistry. 41 (42): 12569–74. doi:10.1021/bi026561f. PMID 12379098.
  6. ^ Walther DJ, Bader M (November 2003). "A unique central tryptophan hydroxylase isoform". Biochemical Pharmacology. 66 (9): 1673–80. doi:10.1016/S0006-2952(03)00556-2. PMID 14563478.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]


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