An Anolis skin melanophore assay suitable for photoaffinity labeling studies with alpha-MSH

Visual determination of MSH-induced pigment migration in melanophores of small pieces of Anolis carolinensis skin is standardized by first measuring photoelectrometrically the change in reflection/transmission of the whole dorsal skin in response to different hormone concentrations. This method allows the rapid and precise recording of time-response curves after photo-affinity labeling of MSH receptors or of dose-response curves of large series of synthetic compounds.