tyrosine Chem.
(ˈtaɪərəʊsiːn)
Also † -in.
[irreg. f. Gr. τῡρός cheese + -in1.]
An amino-acid that is the precursor of several hormones, including adrenalin; 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)alanine. Also attrib.
| 1857 Miller Elem. Chem. III. 627 Tyrosine..was obtained by Liebig from the products of the fusion of well-dried cheese, fibrin, or albumen, with hydrate of potash. Ibid. 628 Tyrosine forms long fibrous crystals, which are very sparingly soluble in cold water. 1873 C. H. Ralfe Phys. Chem. 72 Tyrosin... Associated with leucin it has been obtained from all the glandular organs and secretions of the body. Ibid., On cooling, crystals of tyrosin will be deposited. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 100 Tyrosin crystals were found in the urine. 1926 [see deamination]. 1955 Sci. Amer. July 75/2 The six virus strains were analyzed for their content of three amino acids: tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. 1965 Lee & Knowles Animal Hormones v. 91 Basically, thyroid hormone consists of iodine conjugated with tyrosine. 1982 [see tyrosinase]. |