Description
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of serotonin and melatonin. Thus, expression of TPH can be used as an indicator of the localization of serotonin and melatonin in brain. In mammals, serotonin biosynthesis occurs predominantly in neurons which originate in the Raphe nuclei of the brain, and melatonin synthesis takes place within the pineal gland. Although TPH catalyzes the same reaction within the Raphe nuclei and the pineal gland, TPH activity is rate-
limiting for serotonin but not melatonin biosynthesis.
References
[1] A. MARTíNEZ J H P Knappskog. A structural approach into human tryptophan hydroxylase and its implications for the regulation of serotonin biosynthesis.[J]. Current medicinal chemistry, 2001, 8 9 1: 1077-1091. DOI:
10.2174/0929867013372616[2] JOHN W HAYCOCK . A monoclonal antibody to tryptophan hydroxylase: applications and identification of the epitope[J]. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 2002, 114 2: Pages 205-212. DOI:
10.1016/s0165-0270(01)00530-1
