What does tyrosine mean?
Tyrosine is an amino acid, one of the molecular building blocks from which the body makes proteins. It is present in many foods, including dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and grains. The body can also produce tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine, so tyrosine is usually described as conditionally nonessential: dietary intake is necessary when phenylalanine cannot be converted efficiently. Tyrosine plays important roles in protein structure and in the production of several signaling molecules, including the catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. In medicine and biochemistry, the word commonly appears in terms such as tyrosine kinase, tyrosine residue, and tyrosine hydroxylase. It is distinct from phenylalanine, although the two substances are closely linked in the body's amino-acid metabolism. Tyrosine is also the name of a chemical amino acid available as a supplement, though medical use should be guided by a qualified healthcare professional.
nounTyrosine is a proteinogenic amino acid and a building block of proteins. It is conditionally nonessential because the body can synthesize it from phenylalanine, although it must be obtained from the diet when that conversion is inadequate.
- As a noun, tyrosine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in proteins and is also produced in the body from phenylalanine.
"Tyrosine is one of the amino acids needed for the body to build and repair proteins."
"Tyrosine is one of the building blocks of proteins and can be made from phenylalanine."
"A genetic variant may reduce the body's ability to convert phenylalanine into tyrosine."
The plural is used when referring to multiple individual amino-acid molecules or residues.
"The analysis identified several tyrosines within the protein structure."
Tyrosine has a surprisingly appetizing name: it comes from the Greek word for cheese.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tyrosine come from?
The name tyrosine comes through French from the Greek tyros, meaning “cheese,” reflecting the substance's association with casein, the principal protein of milk. The chemical suffix -in was added in the pattern of other amino-acid names. The name therefore connects tyrosine with its original dairy context while also placing it within the chemical nomenclature for amino acids.
How tyrosine is actually used
Tyrosine is primarily a technical and scientific term. In general discussion it usually refers to the amino acid, while more specific forms such as L-tyrosine or tyrosine residues distinguish particular isomers or molecular contexts.
Easily confused with tyrosine
Phenylalanine is the essential amino acid from which the body can synthesize tyrosine; the two are chemically related but are not interchangeable.