title: Tyrosine and the synthesis of melanin in embryonic cells fromAmbystoma mexicanum.
abstract: Explants comprising about 15 cells were dissected from various regions of the blastula ofAmbystoma mexicanum and cultured in Barth's medium. By addition of L-tyrosine to the culture medium it was possible to induce melanin synthesis in three different cells types: undifferentiated embryonic cells, mesenchyme cells and nerve cells. Tyrosine was found to act as an inductor in a very low concentration (1 μM). It is suggested that tyrosine serves both as an inductor and as a substrate for melanin synthesis in the amphibian larva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoophysiology, University of Umeå, S-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Landström
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoophysiology, University of Umeå, S-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Løvtrup
keywords: Amphibian embryo; Cell culture; Cell differentiation; Melanin synthesis; Tyrosine