Changes of lipo-melanosome membrane leakage versus pH, charge and composition

Liposome models of melanosomes (lipo-melanosomes) were used to investigate how phospholipid composition, charge and medium pH may affect the lipo-melanosome membrane permeability to active oxygen species or melanin synthesis intermediaries. Active oxygen accumulated only at pH 6.4 and was polarographically monitored using superoxide dismutase and/or catalase. Cholesterol appears to increase the O2- accumulation at pH 6.4 while incorporation of positive phospholipids within lipo-melanosomes results in the loss of latency with respect to tyrosinase substrate and intermediates of melanin synthesis.