info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Melanins and melanosomes from llama (Lama glama L.)
Autor
Cecchi, Teresa
Cozzali, Claudia
Passamonti, Paolo
Ceccarelli, Piero
Pucciarelli, Filippo
Gargiulo, Anna Maria
Frank, Eduardo Narciso
Renieri, Carlo
Institución
Resumen
Analysis of melanins and melanosomes in eight hair and skin samples taken of adult pigmented Argentine llamas (Lama glama L.) has been carried out. In each sample, eumelanins, pheomelanins and alkali-soluble melanins were identified. The total amount of melanins and the amount of eumelanins both decreased from black to reddish brown colour, while pheomelanins were found to be present in small quantities in each sample. Eumelanosomes were round and oval-shaped, displaying transverse striations clearly visible at low magnification. Dark brown samples revealed all four melanosomes stages. Stages I and II melanosomes appeared as large, asymmetrical vacuoles containing numerous microvesicles randomly scattered within an amorphous proteinaceous material (vesiculo-globular bodies). Stage III melanosomes had microgranular melanin deposits in the microvesicles and in the matrix. The fully melanized melanosomes (stage IV) were primarily round-shaped, showing an irregular outline and the electron-dense pigment was arranged to form large clusters. In light brown melanocytes, numerous melanosomes at different maturation stages could be found. Premelanosomes appeared ovoid, containing amorphous proteinaceous material and spotty and microgranular deposits. Mature melanosomes were fully melanized, homogeneously electrondense, ovoid granules. Fil: Cecchi, Teresa. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita degli Studi di Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Via S. Agostino, Italy Fil: Cozzali, Claudia. Dipto. di Sci. Biopatol. Veterinarie, Università di Perugina, 06100 Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, Italy Fil: Passamonti, Paolo. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita degli Studi di Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Via S. Agostino, Italy Fil: Ceccarelli, Piero. Dipto. di Sci. Biopatol. Veterinarie, Università di Perugina, 06100 Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, Italy Fil: Pucciarelli, Filippo. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita degli Studi di Camerino, I-62032 Camerino, Via S. Agostino, Italy Fil: Gargiulo, Anna Maria. Dipto. di Sci. Biopatol. Veterinarie, Università di Perugina, 06100 Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, Italy Fil: Frank, Eduardo Narciso. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina Fil: Renieri, Carlo. Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universita degli Studi di Camerino, I-62024 Matelica, Via Circonvallazione 93, Italy