The use of diethylaminoethyl-cellulose-membrane filters in a bioassay to quantify melanin synthesis.
Melanins are a class of extremely insoluble granular biopolymers with a yet ill-defined chemical structure, properties which render the isolation and quantification of these molecules very difficult. Based on their strong anionic character, however, a biophysical property shared by all melanins, we have developed a method allowing total recovery of the pigment. Soluble melanin is bound and granular melanin retained by DEAE-cellulose membrane filters. This approach provides an excellent means to quantify melanin synthesis in normal human melanocytes alone and in coculture with normal human keratinocytes.
Schmidt
R
R
L'Oreal, Centre de Recherche Charles Zviak, France.
Krien
P
P
Regnier
M
M
D003636:DEAE-Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011753:Pyrones / Q000494:pharmacology; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology
D008543:Melanins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011753:Pyrones; D014443:Tyrosine; C011890:kojic acid; D003636:DEAE-Cellulose