(R)-2-Amino-3-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid, also known as 3,5-dibromo-L-tyrosine, is a halogenated analog of L-tyrosine used in biochemical and endocrinological research. Due to the chemical similarity between bromine and iodine, it serves as a model compound for studying the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones, particularly the halogenation of tyrosyl residues in thyroglobulin by thyroid peroxidase. It is employed as a substrate in enzymatic assays to evaluate peroxidase activity and as an intermediate in the synthesis of brominated thyroid hormone analogs for pharmacological studies.

This compound is valuable in investigations of thyroid function, metabolism, and related disorders, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, where it helps mimic iodotyrosine intermediates like monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT). Its use facilitates research into coupling reactions that form active thyroid hormones T3 and T4, as well as in analytical methods for detecting similar halogenated amino acids in biological samples.