2004 AIPMT BiomoleculesEnzymes - cofactors Medium Question 4 of 4 in Enzymes - cofactors

In which one of the following enzymes, is copper necessarily associated as an activator -

A Tryptophanase
B Lactic dehydrogenase
C Tyrosinase
D Carbonic anhydrase

The answer is C.

Solution

Many enzymes need metal ions as cofactors (activators) for their activity.
Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme. It oxidises the amino acid tyrosine to DOPA and dopaquinone in the pathway of melanin pigment formation (and causes browning of cut fruits).
Carbonic anhydrase requires zinc ($Zn^{2+}$). Lactic dehydrogenase uses the coenzyme NAD, and tryptophanase uses pyridoxal phosphate.
So copper is necessarily associated with tyrosinase.

Concept Copper as cofactor of tyrosinase

Enzymes - cofactors in past papers

4 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.