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.
ConceptCopper as cofactor of tyrosinase
Enzymes - cofactors in past papers
4 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.