Biomaterial Database

Production of melanin precursors by a mutant of Tetrahymena thermophila. 1980

A R Kaney, and G W Knox

A mutant of Tetrahymena thermophila, "pig," excretes melanin precursors into the culture medium where spontaneous polymerization to melanin occurs. The precursors, probably oxidation products of catecholamines, are produced in large amounts by the mutant by decarboxylation of tyrosine and hydroxylation of the resulting tyramine. Overproduction and excretion of precursors by the mutant appears to result from elevated specific activity of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (DOPA decarboxylase) (E.C. 4.1.1.26).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D002395	Catecholamines	A general class of ortho-dihydroxyphenylalkylamines derived from TYROSINE.	Catecholamine,Sympathin,Sympathins
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
D006639	Histidine	An essential amino acid that is required for the production of HISTAMINE.	Histidine, L-isomer,L-Histidine,Histidine, L isomer,L-isomer Histidine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013768	Tetrahymena	A genus of ciliate protozoa commonly used in genetic, cytological, and other research.	Tetrahymenas
D013769	Tetrahymena pyriformis	A species of ciliate protozoa used extensively in genetic research.	Tetrahymena pyriformi,pyriformi, Tetrahymena
D014439	Tyramine	An indirect sympathomimetic that occurs naturally in cheese and other foods. Tyramine does not directly activate adrenergic receptors, but it can serve as a substrate for adrenergic uptake systems and MONOAMINE OXIDASE to prolong the actions of adrenergic transmitters. It also provokes transmitter release from adrenergic terminals and may be a neurotransmitter in some invertebrate nervous systems.	4-(2-Aminoethyl)phenol,4-Hydroxyphenethylamine,p-Tyramine,para-Tyramine,4 Hydroxyphenethylamine
D014443	Tyrosine	A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from PHENYLALANINE. It is also the precursor of EPINEPHRINE; THYROID HORMONES; and melanin.	L-Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L-isomer,para-Tyrosine,L Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L isomer,para Tyrosine