title: Lipoxygenase/H2O2-catalyzed oxidation of dihdroxyindoles: synthesis of melanin pigments and study of their antioxidant properties.
abstract: 5,6-Dihydroxyindole (DHI) and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA), which are important intermediates in melanogenesis, can be converted into the corresponding melanin pigments by the action of the lipoxygenase/H2O2 system. Kinetic and HPLC analyses indicate that both DHI and DHICA are good substrates for this enzymatic system. Enzyme activity on both substrates was measured in comparison with peroxidase and tyrosinase; the oxidizing behaviour of lipoxygenase is more similar to that of peroxidase rather than that of tyrosinase. The antioxidant properties of DHI- and DHICA-melanins have been investigated in comparison with other kinds of melanins. DHICA-melanin shows a more pronounced antioxidant effect than that of DHI-melanin and this behaviour can be ascribed to the different structure and solubility of the two pigments. The mixed polymer synthesized from DHI and DHICA is the most effective one. Some implications about the possible explanation of the above mentioned behaviour are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome La Sapieza, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blarzino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foppoli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coccia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Marco
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rosei
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002384:Catalysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005609:Free Radicals; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D007211:Indoles; D008543:Melanins; C030692:5,6-dihydroxy-2-indolylcarboxylic acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008084:Lipoxygenase; C033871:5,6-dihydroxyindole