The "T" stands for Tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is a copper-protein enzyme.
First of all this is all related to pigment in the Dermal and epidermal or layers of skin .Melanaphores are responsible for pigment changes through the synthesis of black and brown pigments known as melanin.This chemical process is melanosynthesis.Which is the conversion of the Amino Acid tyrosine into melanin.Tyrosine converts to dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), then converts to dopaquinone,but only when a catalyst is present.That catalyst is o-Diphenol oxidase (tyrosinase). Both the synthesis of melanin and tyrosinase occur in the melanosome.At this point Dopaquinone is modified into melanin is transferred onto dendrites and deposited in the appropriate melanophores.
So this is where the terms "Tyrosinase-positive (T+)" and "Tyrosinase negative (T-)" albinos originates.
In the T negative animal the catalyst Tyrosinase is not present in the melanaphore. There fore no malanin pigment is created ,this results in a animal possessing no black or brown pigment at all.
In the T Positive form the tyrosinase is produced but doesn't gain proper access to the melanaphore.Although there can be some form of leakage or minor transfer maybe by osmosis not certain resulting in slightly lighter melanin pigments yet darker then the T-Neg version.

. . . Lar M


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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

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