Enzovera Tyrosinase (EV-OXR-003) is a sterile lyophilized copper-containing oxidoreductase with a specific activity of ≥500 U/mg, supplied at 100 KU/bottle. Tyrosinase is the key bifunctional enzyme of melanin biosynthesis, catalyzing both the hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols (monophenolase / cresolase activity) and the subsequent oxidation of o-diphenols to o-quinones (diphenolase / catecholase activity) — the two committed enzymatic steps of the melanin pathway. Sterile manufacture and rigorous purity control make EV-OXR-003 suitable for pharmaceutical research, cosmetic active ingredient development, pigmentation pathway studies, and bioassay-grade applications.

Mechanism and copper active site. Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) belongs to the type-III copper protein family and contains a binuclear copper active site (Cu-A and Cu-B) that cycles through three states during catalysis: oxy (Cu²⁺-O₂²⁻-Cu²⁺), deoxy (Cu⁺-Cu⁺), and met (Cu²⁺-Cu²⁺). The cresolase reaction hydroxylates l-tyrosine or other monophenols to the corresponding o-diphenol (l-DOPA) using O₂, exhibiting a characteristic lag phase as the enzyme cycles from the resting met state into the active oxy form. The catecholase reaction then oxidizes l-DOPA or other o-diphenols to the corresponding o-quinone, which spontaneously polymerizes via non-enzymatic steps into eumelanin or pheomelanin depending on cysteine availability. Both half-reactions use molecular oxygen as co-substrate and generate water as a byproduct.

Research and cosmetic applications. Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme of skin pigmentation and the primary molecular target of depigmenting actives in cosmetic dermatology. EV-OXR-003 is used as a reagent in inhibitor-screening assays — evaluating candidate tyrosinase inhibitors such as kojic acid analogs, hydroxystilbenes, and flavonoids for skin-lightening efficacy — and as an active component in DOPA-quinone–mediated protein cross-linking and biomaterial gelation applications. The sterile format supports cell culture–based melanogenesis studies and preparation of melanin polymer standards for analytical calibration.

Recommended applications:

• Tyrosinase inhibitor screening for cosmetic depigmenting active ingredient development
• Melanin synthesis and melanogenesis pathway research in cell culture models
• DOPA-mediated protein cross-linking and biomaterial surface functionalization
• l-DOPA production as a pharmaceutical precursor for Parkinson’s disease research
• Biosensor development for phenolic compound detection in food and environmental matrices
• Pigmentation disorder research: vitiligo, melasma, and hyperpigmentation model systems
• Enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of phenolic monomers for materials science applications