Human Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylase, DDC Primacu™ ELI

Dopa Decarboxylase (DDC), also known as AADC and Aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, is a 54 kDa member of the group II decarboxylase family of proteins.It is a vitamin B6-dependent homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation of both L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and L-5-hydroxytryptophan to dopamine and serotonin, respectively, which are major mammalian neurotransmitters and hormones belonging to catecholamines and indoleamines.

Since L-DOPA is regularly used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the catalytic pathway is of particular research interest.

Defects of DDC are associated with severe developmental delay, oculogyric crises (OGC), as well as autosomal recessive disorder AADC deficiency, an early onset inborn error in neurotransmitter metabolism which can lead to catecholamine and serotonin deficiency.