Biomaterial Database

The cytotoxicity of cysteinylcatechols and related compounds to human melanoma cells in vitro. 1987

I Yamada, and S Seki, and O Matsubara, and S Ito, and S Suzuki, and T Kasuga

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) and its structural analogs are known to be potently cytotoxic to melanoma cells. We examined the effects of cysteinylcatechols and related compounds, which were newly synthesized as cysteinyl derivatives of L-dopa, on the growth of human melanoma cells in vitro, and their actions were compared with those of L-dopa. 4-S- and 3-S-Cysteinylcatechols showed significantly more potent cytotoxicity to melanoma cells than did L-dopa, and 2-S-cysteinylhydroquinone was next to the catechols in potency. The mechanism of action may involve interaction with the melanocyte-specific enzyme, tyrosinase, for which the cysteinylcatechols could become a better substrate than L-dopa itself. 4-S-Cysteaminylphenol was almost comparable to L-dopa in cytotoxicity, suggesting that this phenol might be oxidized to the corresponding catechol by tyrosinase within the melanoma cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D010636	Phenols	Benzene derivatives that include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the ring structure.
D002396	Catechols	A group of 1,2-benzenediols that contain the general formula R-C6H5O2.	Pyrocatechols,o-Dihydroxybenzenes,ortho-Dihydroxybenzenes,o Dihydroxybenzenes,ortho Dihydroxybenzenes
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D002470	Cell Survival	The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability.	Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D003545	Cysteine	A thiol-containing non-essential amino acid that is oxidized to form CYSTINE.	Cysteine Hydrochloride,Half-Cystine,L-Cysteine,Zinc Cysteinate,Half Cystine,L Cysteine
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man