Phenylketonuria
Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) performs an enzymatic function during the conversion of phenylalanine (abbreviated Phe), to tyrosine. Existing naturally in several types of foods, for instance breast milk, Phe is an essential α-amino acid and one of the plethora of amino acids used in the formation of proteins. Phenylalanine exists in three forms; L-phenylalanine, D-phenylalanine (mirror image of L-phenylalanine), and DL-phenylalanine which is a typic combination of D and L-phenylalanine, and unlike D and L- phenylalanine, is not found in foods. On the other hand, tyrosine, a part from being a derivative of phenylalanine, is a non-essential amino acid that forms part of the ...
