Immunological determination of tyrosinase in sera of melanoma-bearing hamsters.
The quantitative ring immunodiffusion technique was adapted for the determination of the DOPA-oxidase activity of tyrosinase [E.C.1.14.18.1] in the sera of melanotic melanoma-bearing hamsters. The smallest amount of tyrosinase detectable in antibody-agar plates was about 0.5 micrograms/ml. The quantity of tyrosinase in the hamster sera depended on the grade of tumor development and rose to a value of 40 microgram/ml. There was no detectable activity in the sera of hamsters without tumor. The possibility of using this method to test sera of patients and horses with melanoma malignum is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000097:blood*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology
D004156:Catechol Oxidase; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase