Tyrosine Aminotransferase (TAT)

Tyrosine aminotransferaseis an enzyme present in the liver and catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. In humans, the tyrosine aminotransferase protein is encoded by the TAT gene. A deficiency of the enzyme in humans can result in what is known as Type II Tyrosinemia, wherein there is an abundance of tyrosine as a result of tyrosine failing to undergo an aminotransferase reaction to form 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate.

Structures of the three main molecules involved in chemical reaction catalyzed by the tyrosine aminotransferase enzyme are shown below: the amino acid tyrosine, the prosthetic group pyridoxal phosphate, and the resulting product 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate.