Tyrosinase and related proteins in mammalian pigmentation

Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in pigment synthesis, initiating a cascade of reactions which convert the amino acid tyrosine to the melanin biopolymer. Two other tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP) are known, TRP-1 (probably DHICAoxidase) and TRP-2 (DOPAchrome tautomerase). These proteins show about 40% homology, and recent results have indicated that the genes might be derived from a common ancestor. We will discuss recent findings on genomic organization, and on the proteins and their presumed function, which is important for eumelanin synthesis in mouse and man.