dopa

n.
An amino acid, C₉H₁₁NO₄, formed in the liver from tyrosine and converted to dopamine in the brain.

[d(ihydr)o(xy)p(henyl)a(lanine).]

n

An amino acid derived from tyrosine that occurs naturally in plants and animals. It is a precursor of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. Key intermediate in two pathways; the production of melanins from tyrosine catalyzed by the copper-containing enzyme, tyrosinase, to produce dopa, or the biosynthesis of catecholamines catalyzed by the action of tyrosine. It is used in manganese poisoning. Called also L-dopa and levodopa.

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l dopa