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A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
Melanin quantitation from human erythrocytes; interference by haeme derivatives
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA.
Archives Internationales De Physiologie, De Biochimie Et De Biophysique
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Human erythrocytes contain soluble melanins, derived from both heme and globin components of hemoglobin. These findings suggest melanins are present within red blood cells, not just associated with membranes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are primarily known for oxygen transport.
- The presence and origin of pigments within erythrocytes beyond hemoglobin are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition of precipitates obtained from human erythrocytes.
- To identify and quantify melanin content within erythrocytes.
Main Methods:
- Hydrolysis of human erythrocytes using 6 N HCl.
- Extraction of precipitates using ethanol-ether and tetrahydrofuran.
- Spectroscopic analysis (UV-VIS and IR) of precipitates.
Main Results:
- Precipitates from erythrocytes contained significant amounts of hemoglobin derivatives (heme) and melanins.
- Melanins constituted approximately 1.3% of haeme-free erythrocyte solids.
- Spectra indicated that precipitates from red cells and isolated hemoglobin were similar, suggesting melanin origin from globin and heme.
Conclusions:
- Soluble melanins are present within the cytoplasm of normal human erythrocytes.
- Melanins originate from both heme and globin components of hemoglobin.
- Melanin precursors found in membranes suggest potential membrane-associated melanins as well.
