Aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase

Aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (E.C.4.1.1.28, synonyms: DOPA decarboxylase, tryptophan decarboxylase, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan decarboxylase) is an enzyme catalyzing the decarboxylations of L-DOPA and 5-HTP to the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin (5-HT), respectively. The enzyme uses pyridoxal-phosphate as a cofactor.

The same enzyme is also able to the decarboxylate the amino acid tryptophan to tryptamine, a precursor to many alkaloids found in plants and animals.