A melanin-inspired pro-oxidant system for dopa(mine) polymerization: mimicking the natural casing process

Chem Commun (Camb). 2011 Oct 7;47(37):10308-10. doi: 10.1039/c1cc13731j. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Abstract

An oxygen-dependent biomimetic system for DOPA, dopamine and norepinephrine polymerization exploiting the redox properties of a 5-S-cysteinylDOPA (CD)-melanin polymer is disclosed. Kinetic, chemical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evidence indicates conversion of DOPA into a black insoluble polymer encapsulating the active CD-melanin core.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetics*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / chemistry*
  • Dopamine / chemistry*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Melanins / chemistry*
  • Melanins / metabolism*
  • Melanosomes / metabolism
  • Polymerization*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • 5-S-cysteinyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Melanins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Dopamine