Used in biochemical research as a metabolite analog to study amino acid metabolism pathways, particularly in phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolic studies. It serves as an inhibitor or probe in enzyme assays involving aromatic amino acid hydroxylases and transaminases. Its structural similarity to natural amino acids allows it to interact with active sites of related enzymes, making it valuable in mechanistic studies and drug development targeting metabolic disorders or neurotransmitter synthesis.