DDC : dopa decarboxylase
Description
The DDC (dopa decarboxylase) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7.
The DDC gene provides instructions for making the aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the brain and nervous system. This enzyme is essential for the final step in the production of dopamine and serotonin, two important neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers, transmitting signals between nerve cells and other cells throughout the body. Dopamine is a key player in the production of norepinephrine and epinephrine, two additional neurotransmitters. AADC is involved in a two-step process that creates dopamine. First, tyrosine, an amino acid, is converted into L-dopa. Then, AADC removes a carboxyl group from L-dopa, resulting in dopamine. A similar process occurs for serotonin production. Tryptophan, another amino acid, is converted to 5-hydroxytryptophan before AADC removes a carboxyl group, yielding serotonin.
DDC is also known as AADC.
