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An NMR study of the interaction between Melanin Free Acid and Mn2+ ions as a model to mimic the enhanced proton relaxation rates in melanotic melanoma

✍ Scribed by Silvio Aime; Mauro Fasano; Enzo Terreno; Corrado Sarzanini; Edoardo Mentasti


Publisher
Elsevier Science
Year
1991
Tongue
English
Weight
626 KB
Volume
9
Category
Article
ISSN
0730-725X

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✦ Synopsis


The interaction of a soluble Melanin Free Acid (MFA) from Sepia melanin with Mn2+ ions is investigated by measuring the proton water relaxation rates. The similarity between MFA and the parent melanin is assessed by means of their high resolution 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectra. The observed marked increase in longitudinal proton relaxation rates and the characteristic 1/T1 NMRD profile are associated to the formation of a macromolecular metal complex. The presence of similar paramagnetic species is expected to cause the high contrast shown by melanotic tissues in MRI.