Tyrosinase (TYR)
Tyrosinase (TYR) is a copper-containing oxidase enzyme that catalyzes key steps in the biosynthesis of melanin, including the oxidation of phenolic substrates to quinones.
Tyrosinase (TYR) is a copper-containing oxidase enzyme that catalyzes key steps in the biosynthesis of melanin, including the oxidation of phenolic substrates to quinones. Because of this central role in melanogenesis, tyrosinase is biologically important in pigmentation processes in skin, hair, and other tissues. It is also a widely studied pharmaceutical and cosmetic target, particularly in the context of hyperpigmentation disorders, where reducing TYR activity can decrease melanin formation.
In biomedical research, tyrosinase is also used as a functional trigger for selective drug delivery strategies. Since TYR can be overexpressed in melanoma cells, it has been explored as an endogenous activation mechanism for prodrugs designed to become cytotoxic preferentially in melanoma. Beyond oncology and dermatology, tyrosinase inhibition is frequently assessed in natural product screening because many plant- and algae-derived extracts contain compounds that can chelate copper, interfere with enzyme kinetics, or otherwise suppress melanin-related oxidation reactions. Related bioactivity studies often evaluate tyrosinase alongside Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Acid α-glucosidase (AAG), and antioxidant endpoints such as DPPH and ABTS assays.
Where the papers sit
16 papers from the last 6 months study Tyrosinase (TYR) directly · updated from PubMed 10 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 2 human data · 14 preclinical
Themes one subject
Those 16 are all about one subject.
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Tyrosinase Inhibitor Discovery
Tyrosinase inhibitor discovery spans plant extracts, synthetic derivatives, drug repurposing and AI-guided lead generation. Recurring endpoints include enzyme inhibition, antioxidant activity, UVA photoprotection and skin-whitening potential. Work is also moving toward mechanism-focused validation, including binding studies, direct agonism for hypopigmentation and dual-track optimization. SERS monitoring and microneedle delivery extend the field from compound screening toward melanoma assessment and targeted treatment.
Papers
The 16 papers from the last 6 months that study Tyrosinase (TYR) directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Tyrosinase Inhibitor Discovery (16)
- Bergapten-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles for Vitiligo Treatment: A Synergistic Strategy Combining Nanocrystal Technology and Physical Enhancement. AAPS PharmSciTech · 10 Sept 2026 PMID 42722792
- Bioactive Properties of Achillea biserrata M.Bieb. Extracts: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, Target Enzyme Inhibition, and Cytotoxic Effects. Chemistry & biodiversity · 31 Aug 2026 PMID 42672901
- Chemical constituents of Morus alba (Sang-Bai-Pi), their tyrosinase inhibition, and UVA-induced photodamage protection. Fitoterapia · 19 Aug 2026 PMID 42617810
- Design, synthesis, and development of 4-(4-Fluorobenzyl)piperazine-acetanilide conjugates as novel tyrosinase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 5 Aug 2026 PMID 42556271
- A Reproducible Electroporation Strategy for CRISPR-Cas9 RNP and mRNA Delivery in Fish Embryos. Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) · 3 Aug 2026 PMID 42545527
- Potential of Korean forest tree seed extracts as multifunctional bioresources: Evaluation of Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, whitening, and anticancer activities. PloS one · 27 Jul 2026 PMID 42507699
- Noninvasive SERS Immunosensing of Tyrosinase for Melanoma Monitoring via Microneedle Sampling Integrated with Satellite-Structured Bifunctional Nanozymes. Analytical chemistry · 3 Jul 2026 PMID 42394429
- Discovery of TYR inhibitors from de novo molecular generation to dual-track lead optimization: "Competition" between AI and chemists. Science advances · 19 Jun 2026 PMID 42319927
- Ampyrone is a direct agonist of human tyrosinase and a potential therapeutic for hypopigmentation disorders. JCI insight · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42313478
- Identification of Quinoline Tethered Thiadiazole/Thiazole Derivatives as Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitors With Promising Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Agents: Design, Synthesis, and Computational Analysis. Drug development research · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42311211
- Metabolomics of Andrographis paniculata Burm. F. green extracts by an integrated LC-MS and NMR approach and evaluation of acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of extracts and isolated compounds. Fitoterapia · 6 Jun 2026 PMID 42250615
- Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Salvia heldreichiana Within the Framework of Molecular Docking and CAVER Tunnel Analysis. ChemistryOpen · 1 Jun 2026 PMID 42220228
- Drug repurposing for skin pigmentation disorders: Discovery of novel tyrosinase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102696
- Comparative metabolic profiling, enzyme inhibitory activities, and in-silico analysis of the hexane extract and the hydrodistilled oil of Boswellia serrata. PloS one · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102034
- Investigation of tyrosinase inhibitory components in Camellia reticulata and the inhibitory mechanism, binding behavior of TeGG to tyrosinase. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Apr 2026 PMID 42060987
- Integrated Phytochemical Profiling and Multifunctional Bioactivities of Bellis annua Extracts Obtained by Distinct Extraction Techniques. ChemistryOpen · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42012914
By study type
Human data, design not indexed (2)
- Chemical constituents of Morus alba (Sang-Bai-Pi), their tyrosinase inhibition, and UVA-induced photodamage protection. Fitoterapia · 19 Aug 2026 PMID 42617810
- Discovery of TYR inhibitors from de novo molecular generation to dual-track lead optimization: "Competition" between AI and chemists. Science advances · 19 Jun 2026 PMID 42319927
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (14)
- Bergapten-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles for Vitiligo Treatment: A Synergistic Strategy Combining Nanocrystal Technology and Physical Enhancement. AAPS PharmSciTech · 10 Sept 2026 PMID 42722792
- Bioactive Properties of Achillea biserrata M.Bieb. Extracts: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, Target Enzyme Inhibition, and Cytotoxic Effects. Chemistry & biodiversity · 31 Aug 2026 PMID 42672901
- Design, synthesis, and development of 4-(4-Fluorobenzyl)piperazine-acetanilide conjugates as novel tyrosinase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 5 Aug 2026 PMID 42556271
- A Reproducible Electroporation Strategy for CRISPR-Cas9 RNP and mRNA Delivery in Fish Embryos. Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) · 3 Aug 2026 PMID 42545527
- Potential of Korean forest tree seed extracts as multifunctional bioresources: Evaluation of Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, whitening, and anticancer activities. PloS one · 27 Jul 2026 PMID 42507699
- Noninvasive SERS Immunosensing of Tyrosinase for Melanoma Monitoring via Microneedle Sampling Integrated with Satellite-Structured Bifunctional Nanozymes. Analytical chemistry · 3 Jul 2026 PMID 42394429
- Ampyrone is a direct agonist of human tyrosinase and a potential therapeutic for hypopigmentation disorders. JCI insight · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42313478
- Identification of Quinoline Tethered Thiadiazole/Thiazole Derivatives as Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitors With Promising Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Agents: Design, Synthesis, and Computational Analysis. Drug development research · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42311211
- Metabolomics of Andrographis paniculata Burm. F. green extracts by an integrated LC-MS and NMR approach and evaluation of acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of extracts and isolated compounds. Fitoterapia · 6 Jun 2026 PMID 42250615
- Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Salvia heldreichiana Within the Framework of Molecular Docking and CAVER Tunnel Analysis. ChemistryOpen · 1 Jun 2026 PMID 42220228
- Drug repurposing for skin pigmentation disorders: Discovery of novel tyrosinase inhibitors. Bioorganic chemistry · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102696
- Comparative metabolic profiling, enzyme inhibitory activities, and in-silico analysis of the hexane extract and the hydrodistilled oil of Boswellia serrata. PloS one · 8 May 2026 PMID 42102034
- Investigation of tyrosinase inhibitory components in Camellia reticulata and the inhibitory mechanism, binding behavior of TeGG to tyrosinase. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Apr 2026 PMID 42060987
- Integrated Phytochemical Profiling and Multifunctional Bioactivities of Bellis annua Extracts Obtained by Distinct Extraction Techniques. ChemistryOpen · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42012914
Written from 16 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-07-02. Last written: 2026-09-12 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.