phenylalanine
(fen″әl-alīә-nēn)
a naturally occurring essential amino acid that is necessary for optimal growth in infants and for nitrogen equilibrium in adults.
phenylalanine hydroxylase
, phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase
an enzyme that activates molecular oxygen to catalyze the oxidation of phenylalanine to tyrosine; deficiency results in hyperphenylalaninemia.

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