phytanic acid α-hydroxylase

phy·tan·ic ac·id α-hy·droxy·lase (fi-tanґik asґid hi-drokґsə-lās) an enzyme that catalyzes the alpha oxidation of phytanic acid, hydroxylating its alpha carbon; the reaction requires molecular oxygen and is stimulated by NADPH and by ferric iron. Deficiency of the enzyme, an autosomal recessive trait, causes Refsum disease.