DHICA (5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid) is an intermediate in the

biosynthesis Biosynthesis is a multi-step, enzyme-catalyzed process where substrates are converted into more complex products in living organisms. In biosynthesis, simple compounds are modified, converted into other compounds, or joined to form macromolecul ...

melanin Melanin (; from el, μέλας, melas, black, dark) is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino ...

. It may tautomerise to form

Dopachrome Dopachrome is a cyclization product of L-DOPA and is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of melanin. It may tautomerise to form DHICA. See also * Dopachrome tautomerase Dopachrome tautomerase (dopachrome delta-isomerase, tyrosine-related pro ...

References

Indole alkaloids {{alkaloid-stub