Metabolism of 5-S-glutathionyldopa

5-S-Glutathionyldopa is oxidized at incubation with tyrosinase and dopa producing a black pigment. The reaction proceeds with the formation of two chromophores with absorption spectra similar to those of dopachrome and melanochrome, respectively. Zn2+ catalyses the formation of the melanochrome-like compound. The oxidation of 5-S-glutathionyldopa by dopaquinone, formed by the action of human tyrosinase and mushroom tyrosinase, is considerably slower than that of 5-S-cysteinyldopa. The higher oxidation potential of 5-S-glutathionyldopa, and/or the greater number of dopaquinone molecules necessary for pigment formation from 5-S-glutathionyldopa and/or the formation of tyrosinase-inhibiting products from 5-S-glutathionyldopa can explain the slower oxidation of this compound. The oxidative pathways suggested for 5-S-glutathionyldopa by the present findings may be relevant both in the melanocyte and in non-specific oxidation of cathechols occurring in other cells.