Solubilizing effect of Trition X-100 on melanosome tyrosinase in hamster pigmented melanoma

A study was made on the effect of Triton X-100 in different concentrations on the tyrosinase activity of two differently pigmented melanosome fractions of pigmented hamster melanoma, obtained by gradient centrifugation. Release of considerable tyrosinase activity was established spectrophotometrically in the supernatant of the treated melanosomes. The release of enzyme activity after treatment of the melanosome is probably due to a change in the permeability of the melanosome structures under the effect of the non-ionic detergent Trition X-100. A direct activating effect of Trition X-100 on the particulate enzyme should be excluded, since inhibition of DOPA-oxidase activity was established in the soluble tyrosinase fraction.