Dopamine Decarboxylase (DDC) ELISA Kit for Cavy

Function: Catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) to dopamine, L-5-hydroxytryptophan to serotonin and L-tryptophan to tryptamine. Variation in the synthesis of bioamines may be a factor contributing to natural variation in life span. Ref.4

Catalytic activity: L-dopa = dopamine + CO2.5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan = 5-hydroxytryptamine + CO2.

Cofactor: Pyridoxal phosphate.

Subunit structure: Homodimer.

Tissue specificity: Hypoderm isoform isexpressed only in hypodermal epithelium and the CNS isoform onlyin central nervous system. Ref.1 Ref.10

Developmental stage: Hypoderm isoform hashigh expression levels in hypoderm during late embryogenesis, late larval development, pupariation and adult eclosion. CNS isoform hasconstant expression level in CNS throughout the life cycle. Ref.10 Ref.11

Induction: By ecdysone. In larval epidermis, expression is rapidly induced. In adult epidermis expression responds to a pulse of hormone and there is a time lag between initial exposure and appearance of DDC. Ref.12

Polymorphism: Three common molecular polymorphisms (2 in the promoter region and Phe-12) account for 15.5% of the genetic contribution to variance in life span, the polymorphisms are maintained by balancing selection.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the group II decarboxylase family.