L-dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) (DCT)

L-dopachrome tautomerase, also known as Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2), is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of eumelanin within melanocytes. It specifically catalyzes the isomerization of L-dopachrome into 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA), a step that follows the initial oxidation of tyrosine by tyrosinase (UniProt: P40126). In the context of oncology, TRP-2 is classified as a melanoma-associated antigen because it is overexpressed in melanoma cells and can be recognized by the immune system (PubMed: 11046056). Consequently, it has become a major target for the development of cancer vaccines, including DNA and dendritic cell-based therapies aimed at inducing tumor-specific T-cell responses (PubMed: 25614330). While targeting TRP-2 shows promise for treating metastatic melanoma, it carries the risk of inducing vitiligo due to the destruction of healthy melanocytes that also express the protein. Beyond its role in pigmentation and cancer, mutations in the DCT gene are associated with oculocutaneous albinism, highlighting its essential role in normal skin and eye development.

Other names

Tyrosinase-related protein 2TRP-2TRP2TYRP2Dopachrome delta-isomeraseDopachrome tautomerase

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses against cells expressing the TRP-2 protein.