Catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cathecolamines, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Uses tetrahydrobiopterin and molecular oxygen to convert tyrosine to L-Dopa (  Ref.18 ). In addition to tyrosine, is able to catalyze the hydroxylation of phenylalanine and tryptophan with lower specificity (By similarity). Positively regulates the regression of retinal hyaloid vessels during postnatal development (By similarity).
Lacks catalytic activity.
Lacks catalytic activity.
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Perinuclear region, Nucleus, Cell projection, Axon, Cytoplasm, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Secretory vesicle, Synaptic vesicle
When phosphorylated at Ser-19 shows a nuclear distribution and when phosphorylated at Ser-31 as well at Ser-40 shows a cytosolic distribution (By similarity). Expressed in dopaminergic axons and axon terminals.
Mainly expressed in the brain and adrenal glands.