A group of recently isolated parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cDNAs representing genes that are transcriptionally activated upon fungal infection or elicitor treatment have been demonstrated to encode tyrosine decarboxylase (TyrDC). The deduced TyrDC protein sequence shares extensive similarity with two functionally related enzymes, tryptophan decarboxylase from periwinkle and dopa decarboxylase from Drosophila melanogaster. Expression of TyrDC cDNA in Escherichia coli yielded catalytically active protein with high substrate specificity for tyrosine. All four identified parsley TyrDC genes have been cloned and encode at least three TyrDC isozymes. Treatment of cultured parsley cells with fungal elicitor caused very rapid and transient increases in TyrDC mRNA and enzyme activity levels.