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A Cytoplasmic Organelle of Melanocytes

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Abstract

DURING his classical investigations of intracellular organelles Claude isolated melanin granules from the liver of Amphiuma tridactylum1. Sections of these granules were later examined by Drochmans, who showed them to possess definite structural detail2. Other investigations have shown the existence of a highly regular, almost crystalline lattice in melanin granules from other tissues3. Melanin itself was suggested by Longuet-Higgins as having properties of a one-dimensional semi-conductor4, and this was agreed on by Pullman5. Semiquinone free radicals have been demonstrated in melanin granules and the characteristic signals6 became more pronounced during irradiation of such granules with light7,8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Long Island, New York

    KEDAR N. PRASAD, HORTON A. JOHNSON & GEORGE C. COTZIAS

Authors
  1. KEDAR N. PRASAD
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  2. HORTON A. JOHNSON
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  3. GEORGE C. COTZIAS
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PRASAD, K., JOHNSON, H. & COTZIAS, G. A Cytoplasmic Organelle of Melanocytes. Nature 205, 525–526 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/205525a0

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