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Aminoacids—Precursors of melanin synthesis in hamster melanoma

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Summary

The role of l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) and l-tryptophan in melanin biosynthesis in melanotic hamster melanoma IC-Sofia was investigated with the aid of 14C-aminoacids. Tyrosine and phenylalanine were found to be the main melanin precursors: about 64.5% of total melanin labeling was due to tyrosine incorporation and 27.4% to phenylalanine incorporation. Negligible proportions of melanin radioactivity (5.7% and 2.4%, respectively) resulted from dopa and tryptophan utilization in melanin synthesis. The involvement of each of the aminoacids under investigation in melanin synthesis in vivo is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Oncological Research Institute, II56, Sofia, Bulgaria

    P. M. Blagoeva

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  1. P. M. Blagoeva
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Blagoeva, P.M. Aminoacids—Precursors of melanin synthesis in hamster melanoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 108, 366–368 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390476

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390476

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