Catechol oxidase is a type 3 copper protein that exclusively catalyses the oxidation of catechols (e.g. o-diphenols) to the corresponding o-quinones. The enzyme can also act on a variety of substituted catechols. Although a member of the same superfamily as tyrosinase, it is a different enzyme.
Defined by 7 residues: HIS:A-88HIS:A-109HIS:A-118HIS:A-240HIS:A-244PHE:A-261HIS:A-274