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Structural characteristics of human substantia nigra neuromelanin and synthetic dopamine melanins. 2000

K L Double, and L Zecca, and P Costi, and M Mauer, and C Griesinger, and S Ito, and D Ben-Shachar, and G Bringmann, and R G Fariello, and P Riederer, and M Gerlach
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. K.Double@unsw.edu.au

Neuromelanin (NM) is a complex polymer pigment found primarily in the dopaminergic neurons of the human substantia nigra. The structure of NM is only partially characterized, and its synthesis pathway remains unknown. We used nuclear magnetic and infrared spectroscopy to examine the structure of human NM isolated from the substantia nigra compared with synthetic dopamine melanins. Biochemical analyses were used to investigate proteinaceous and dopaminergic components in these samples. Following acid hydrolysis of NM samples, small amounts of DOPA, dopamine, and a variety of amino acids were measured. These findings suggest a peptide component in NM structure. NM also appears to contain a variety of unidentified structural components possibly derived from the oxidation of dopamine. Human NM differs structurally from synthetic dopamine melanin, but both human and synthetic NM include an aromatic backbone. It is interesting that both human NM and synthetic melanin also contain a large proportion of aliphatic structures. Our results suggest that NM is a more complex pigment than synthetic dopamine melanin formed via dopamine autoxidation alone.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007558 Italy A country in southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. The capital is Rome. Sardinia
D008543 Melanins Insoluble polymers of TYROSINE derivatives found in and causing darkness in skin (SKIN PIGMENTATION), hair, and feathers providing protection against SUNBURN induced by SUNLIGHT. CAROTENES contribute yellow and red coloration. Allomelanins,Melanin,Phaeomelanins
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009682 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Spectroscopic method of measuring the magnetic moment of elementary particles such as atomic nuclei, protons or electrons. It is employed in clinical applications such as NMR Tomography (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING). In Vivo NMR Spectroscopy,MR Spectroscopy,Magnetic Resonance,NMR Spectroscopy,NMR Spectroscopy, In Vivo,Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, NMR,Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopies,Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear,NMR Spectroscopies,Resonance Spectroscopy, Magnetic,Resonance, Magnetic,Resonance, Nuclear Magnetic,Spectroscopies, NMR,Spectroscopy, MR
D004295 Dihydroxyphenylalanine A beta-hydroxylated derivative of phenylalanine. The D-form of dihydroxyphenylalanine has less physiologic activity than the L-form and is commonly used experimentally to determine whether the pharmacological effects of LEVODOPA are stereospecific. Dopa,3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,3-Hydroxy-DL-tyrosine,Dihydroxyphenylalanine Hydrochloride, (2:1),beta-Hydroxytyrosine,3 Hydroxy DL tyrosine,3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,beta Hydroxytyrosine
D004298 Dopamine One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action. Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D005858 Germany A country in central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. The capital is Berlin.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006868 Hydrolysis The process of cleaving a chemical compound by the addition of a molecule of water.
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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