Dopachrome tautomerase
- OMIM: 191 275
- UniProt: P40126
Dopachrome tautomerase ( Dct ) ( Gen: DCT ) is called the enzyme that converts dopachrome to 5,6- dihydroxyindole -2 -carboxylate ( DHICA ). This interaction is one of one of the two metabolic pathways for the production of the pigment melanin. Mutations at the DCT gene can affect the hair color.
Dct is similar to tyrosinase and the DHICA oxidase, however, as the catalytic center rather than copper, two zinc atoms. DCT is dominant in Europeans. DCT is not only a marker for melanoblasts, but also regulates the budding neuronal precursor cells.