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Generalized melanosis secondary to malignant melanoma. Report of a case with serum and tissue tyrosinase studies
Author(s) -
Sohn Norman,
Gumport Stephen L.,
Gang Heinrich,
Goldstein Menek,
Deppisch Ludwig M.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196911)24:5<897::aid-cncr2820240506>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - melanoma , tyrosinase , melanosis , medicine , melanin , tyrosine , endogeny , spleen , kidney , pathology , enzyme , cancer research , biochemistry , chemistry
A case of generalized melanosis secondary to malignant melanoma is described. The tyrosinase activity of serum and tissues from this patient has been measured. The first 2 steps of melanogenesis (tyrosine → dopa and dopa → dopachrome) have been separately assayed. Serum and homogenates from skin and spleen showed the highest activity in both steps. Weak activity was detected in vagina and lung, but no activity was detected in the adrenals, kidney, liver, and rectum. An endogenous compound which inhibits the enzymic activity as well as the auto‐oxidation of dopa is found to be present in almost all of the tissues analyzed. Tyrosinase activity was not found in serum samples from control patients without malignant melanoma nor from other patients with malignant melanoma without generalized melanosis. Inhibition of tyrosinase activity by endogenous substances, however, was present in all serum samples analyzed.