The electron transfer properties of sigma and sepia melanin, 1989

Townsel, Micheal Eugene

1980-1989

The melanocytotoxic phenol, p-hydroxyanisole (monomethylether of hydroquinone, MMEH) is a substrate for mushroom tyrosinase. Kinetic and oxygen electrode studies have been performed compari ng the total (anaerobi c and aerobi c) reaction in the formation of the 1, 2-qui none in the presence and absence of synthetic (Sigma) and "biological" (Sepia) melanin samples. These results show evidence of melanin actively transferring electrons to tyrosi nase; thereby acting as a DOPA-l ike cofactor. These results also reveal major differences in the chemical properties of synthetic and biologically extracted melanin in an in vitro system, thus raising important questions about conclusions that are extended to biological systems, using synthetic melanin.

text

application/pdf

1989-05-01

thesis

Master of Science (MS)

Clark Atlanta University

Chemistry

Menter, Julian M.

Clark Atlanta University

Georgia--Atlanta

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1989_townsel_michael_e