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Formation of an Ommatin Pigment from Tyrosine by Ultra-violet Irradiation

Abstract

IN the course of an investigation of the effect of ultra-violet irradiation on the formation of melanin from tyrosine, it was found that a brief period (5 min.) of irradiation had an effect similar to that brought about by the addition of a minute quantity of DOPA; on addition of tyrosinase to the irradiated solution oxygen uptake began immediately without an induction period, and ultimately reached a value approximating that calculated for conversion of the tyrosine to melanin. As the reaction proceeded, typical melanin granules were formed.

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JOHNSON, M. Formation of an Ommatin Pigment from Tyrosine by Ultra-violet Irradiation. Nature 190, 924–925 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/190924a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/190924a0

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