ISSN:
1574-6968
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Tyrosinase is an enzyme having two copper atoms at the reactive site occurring in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. In animals tyrosinase is responsible for pigmentation, in plants for protection of injured tissues or, as in fungi, to harden cell walls. Some of us have previously shown that tyrosinase is involved in truffle development and differentiation. Here we present the purification, the molecular properties and the reversible inhibition of Tuber melanosporum tyrosinase by dimethyl-sulfide and bis[methylthio]methane, the main flavour compounds of black and whitish truffles. The MWr is 39 000. l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and l-tyrosine stain corresponding bands as expected for a true tyrosinase. Phenylthiourea, diethyldithiocarbamate and mimosine inhibit l-tyrosine and l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1097(03)00065-X
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