Dopachrome Tautomerase (DCT)

Dopachrome tautomerase , also known as DCT, is an enzyme that isomerizes the melanogenic intermediate 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-chrome (DOPAchrome) to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) in the biosynthesis of melanin. Its expression is regulated by the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor.

human TYRP2 protein has 83% identity and 90% similarity to the mouse sequence and has all the structural characteristics of the tyrosinase protein family, including a signal peptide, 15 conserved cysteine residues, 2 copper-binding domains, and a C-terminal membrane-spanning region. Northern blot analysis showed that TYRP2 is expressed at high levels in human melanoma cells.