Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines, is activated by phosphorylationdependent binding to 14-3-3 proteins. The N-terminal domain of TH is also involved in interaction with lipid membranes. We investigated the binding of the N-terminal domain to its different partners, both in the unphosphorylated (TH-(1-43)) and Ser 19 -phosphorylated (THp-(1-43)) states by surface plasmon resonance. THp-(1-43) showed high affinity for 14-3-3 proteins (K d ϳ 0.5 M for 14-3-3␥ and -and 7 M for 14-3-3 ). The domains also bind to negatively charged membranes with intermediate affinity (concentration at half-maximal binding S 0.5 ؍ 25-58 M (TH-(1-43)) and S 0.5 ؍ 135-475 M (THp-(1-43)), depending on phospholipid composition) and concomitant formation of helical structure. 14-3-3␥ showed a preferential binding to membranes, compared with 14-3-3 , both in chromaffin granules and with liposomes at neutral pH. The affinity of 14-3-3␥ for negatively charged membranes (S 0.5 ؍ 1-9 M) is much higher than the affinity of TH for the same membranes, compatible with the formation of a ternary complex between Ser 19 -phosphorylated TH, 14-3-3␥, and membranes. Our results shed light on interaction mechanisms that might be relevant for the modulation of the distribution of TH in the cytoplasm and membrane fractions and regulation of L-DOPA and dopamine synthesis.