Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Melanin: the organizing molecule.

F E Barr

    Medical Hypotheses
    |May 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This study proposes that melanin acts as a master molecular organizer in living systems. It regulates complex biological processes through its unique physical and chemical properties, influencing everything from cellular metabolism to tissue regeneration.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Dexamethasone significantly attenuates sub-arachnoid hemorrhage-induced elevation in cerebrospinal fluid citrulline and leukocytes.

    Journal of neurosurgical sciences·2012
    Same author

    Modified Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

    The Annals of thoracic surgery·2002
    Same author

    Surfactant protein-A enhances uptake of respiratory syncytial virus by monocytes and U937 macrophages.

    American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology·2000
    Same author

    The pharmacologic mechanism by which inhaled epinephrine reduces airway obstruction in respiratory syncytial virus-associated bronchiolitis.

    The Journal of pediatrics·2000
    Same author

    Use of high-dose corticosteroids and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for treatment of a child with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after bone marrow transplantation: case report and review of the literature.

    Critical care medicine·2000
    JoVE
    x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
    ABOUT JoVE
    OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
    AUTHORS
    Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
    LIBRARIANS
    TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
    RESEARCH
    JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
    EDUCATION
    JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
    Terms & Conditions of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Policies

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Biology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Melanin, a pigment molecule, is increasingly recognized for functions beyond coloration.
    • Its complex physical and chemical properties suggest a role in biological organization.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To hypothesize and review evidence for melanin as a primary organizational molecule in living systems.
    • To examine melanin's role in key biological systems and regulatory processes.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of established and proposed properties of melanin.
    • Examination of the melanin-purine-pteridine system.
    • Analysis of the APUD (diffuse neuroendocrine) system.
    • Consideration of melanin's role in embryological organization and tissue repair.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Exploration of melanin's potential control over homeostatic systems.

    • Main Results:

    • Melanin, potentially with isopentenoids, functions as a major organizational molecule.
    • It acts as a trigger, directing energy via photon-electron-phonon conversions, redox, ion exchange, and semiconductive switching.
    • Melanin regulates molecular interactions and metabolism through covalent modifications.
    • Evidence supports melanin's central role in the melanin-purine-pteridine and APUD systems.
    • Melanin's involvement in embryogenesis, tissue repair, and homeostatic control is proposed.

    Conclusions:

    • Melanin is a key molecular organizer in biological systems.
    • Its diverse properties enable regulation of cellular and systemic processes.
    • Further research into melanocentric systems is warranted to understand its full biological significance.