Six of eight human melanoma lines showed increased sensitivity to killing by dopa and by ascorbate:copper compared with two fibroblast strains and four other human cell lines of nonmelanoma origin. Catechol, epinephrine, and alpha-methyldopa, but not 5,6-dihydroxyindole, exhibited a similar degree of selectivity. Toxicity was greatly reduced when brief exposure times or high cell densities were used. Depending upon culture conditions, melanoma cells accumulated more [3H]dopa- and [14C]ascorbate-derived isotopic label within the first five min than fibroblasts, but after one hr this difference was less marked. The catalase activity in melanoma cells was not less than that in fibroblasts. Using two independent methods to determine each type of damage, dopa and ascorbate:copper were found to induce DNA breaks in both cell types but not DNA repair synthesis or DNA interstrand cross-links. More DNA breaks were found in melanoma cells (two lines) than in fibroblasts. Semiconservative DNA synthesis was inhibited immediately, recovered within six hr, and in melanoma cells, was again inhibited after 24 hr. RNA synthesis was inhibited less than DNA synthesis. Human cell lines with differential sensitivity to gamma-radiation, ultraviolet light, cross-linking agents, or monofunctional alkylating agents, exhibited normal survival levels when treated with dopa or ascorbate:copper.