BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Serial No. 674,489, filed March 25, 1991, now pending, which is a continuation of Serial No. 603,111 , filed October 25, 1990, now pending, which is a continuation of Serial No. 525,944, filed May 10, 1990, now pending.

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns the synthesis of soluble forms of melanin and their composition, and methods of using such compositions to provide a natural-appearing tan to mammalian skin and hair and to provide a sun-screen, to treat hypopigmentation, to tint glass and plastic, to provide color to foods and beverages, and to protect industrial materials against ultraviolet damage.

Background Information

In biology, melanins are heteropolymers consisting of L-dopa and its enzymatic derivatives. They are ubiquitous in living organisms and are produced throughout the zoological and botanical phyla. In mammalian skin, melanins are produced through enzymatic processes in specialized cells known as "melanocytes". Melanins are the pigments of mammalian skin and hair.

Mammalian melanins are highly insoluble and can be dissolved (solubiiized) only through non-physiological treatments such as boiling in strong alkali, or through the use of strong oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide. Tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the melanin biosynthetic pathway, can catalyze the

formation of melanin in a test tube using L-tyrosine, L-dopa or 5,6-dihydroxyϊndoIe as substrates; however, the product is an insoluble precipitate as described above.

Ito, "Reexamination of the Structure of Eumelanin", Bfochimica et Biophvsica Acta. 883. 155-161, 1986, mentions that natural melanin may be a polymer of 5,6- dihydroxyindole and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxyIic add. Ito, however, does not teach or suggest combining these chemicals to form melanin.

Ito and Nicol, "Isolation of Oligimers of 5,6-DϊhydroxyindoIe-2-carboxylϊc Acid from the Eye of the Catfish", Biochemical Journal. 143. 207-217, 1974, mention that oligimers of 5,6-dihydroxyindoIe-2-carboxylic add exist in nature, for example in the tapetum lucidum of the sea catfish (Arius felis). Ito and Nicol, however do not teach or suggest that these structures could be used as a form of soluble melanϊn.

Palumbo, d'lschia, Misuraca, and Prota, "Effect of metal ion on the rearrangement of dopachrome", Biochimica et Biophvsica Acta. 925. 203-209, 1987, mention that the non-decarboxylatϊve rearrangement of dopachrome at physiological pH values, leading mainly to the formation of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2- carboxylic add. They suggest that when considered in the light of the known metal accumulation in pigmented tissues, their results provide a new entry into the regulatory mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of melanin. Palumbo et al., However, do not teach or suggest that such metal ions could be used to affect the color or formation of soluble melanin. Likewise, Leonard, Townsend, and King, "Function of Dopachrome Oxidoreductase and Metal Ions in Dopachrome Conversion in the Eumelanin Pathway", Biochemistry. 27. 6156-6159, 1988, present similar results to those of Palumbo et al. regarding metal ions and the

formation of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid from dopachrome. Like Palumbo et al., Leonard et al. also do not teach or suggest that such metal ions could be used to affect the color for formation of soluble melanin.

Korner and Pawelek, J. Invest Dermatol. 75. 192-195, 1980, report the presence of an enzymic activity, "dopachrome conversion factor", in melanocytes which catalyzes the conversion of dopachrome to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid. Pawelek. Biochem. Biophvs. Res. Comm.. 166. 1328-1333, 1990, showed that this conversion reaction is an isomerization and that dopachrome conversion factor is an isomerase. Aroca, Garcia-Borron, Solano, and Lozano, Biochem. Biophvs. Res. Acta. 1035. 266-275, 1990, suggested that the mechanism is indeed an isomerization which involves a tautomeric shift and proposed that the enzyme be named "dopachrome tautomerase" with the official Enzyme Commission number of E.C. 5.3.2.3. Tsukamoto, Jackson, Urabe, Motague, and Hearing, EMBO J., in press, 1992, reported identification of a gene for dopachrome tautomerase. The above information is reviewed by Pawelek, Pigment Cell Research. 4, 53-62, 1991.

Wolfram et al. (US Patent Number 4,968,497) disdose tanning by applying a composition comprising melanin precursors or melanin precursor-like materials to the skin. They do not teach or claim that applying melanins, either natural or synthetic, to the skin will mimic skin tanning. Rather they teach that such melanins achieve "only superficial external tanning results which is readily removed by rinsing with water or rubbing with a towel".

Herlϊhy (US Patent Number 4,515,773) disdoses a skin tanning composition containing a melanin precursor and a tyrosinase enzyme in a cosmetic base. He

does not, however, teach or claim the application of melanins, either natural or synthetic to the skin.

Gaskin (US Patent Number 4,806,344) discloses a sun protectant composition comprising "melanin" as one of the ingredients: Gaskin further discloses that the melanin is "synthesized from tyrosinase and DOPA". She does not teach or suggest that such melanin is synthesized non-enzymatically or that it is comprised of precursors which confer either negative or positive charges on the polymer, rendering it soluble in aqueous solutions.

Many reports exist exploring the role of sulfhydryl compounds such as cysteine or glutathione in determining the red or yellow colors in melanin (see review by Prota, d'lschia, and Napolitano, "The Regulatory Role of Sulfhydryl Compounds in Melanogenesϊs", Pigment Cell Research. Supplement 1. 48-53, 1988. However, these reports do not teach or suggest that said sulfhydryl compounds could be used to influence the colors of synthetic soluble melanins.

It would be of commercial value to have synthetic varieties of melanin with different solubility, molecular size, and color characteristics. That is, it would be useful to be able to produce various melanins of predictable colors and physicochemical charaderistics through specific changes in the synthetic reaction conditions. For example, it would be of value to produce a melanin that, at neutral pH, is soluble in aqueous solvents such as those used in skin creams and lotions, while at acid pH, is soluble in organic solvents such as those used in oil-based paints.

Such melanins could impart a natural-appearing tan to mammalian skin and hair. Such melanins would also be effective as sun-screens, since melanins are the chemicals in the skin which absorb ultraviolet radiation and thus provide protection from its harmful effects, such as premature skin aging and the occurrence of skin cancers.

Such melanins would be effective in treating post-inflammatory hypopigmentation due to eczema, acne, trauma, burns and psoriasis. Also, as a cover-up for vitiligo and other disorders of hypopigmentation, soluble melanins would be quite effective.

Since melanins absorb light throughout the ultraviolet and visible spectra, they would also be effective as glass or plastic tinting agents for eye glasses, contact lenses, car windows, house windows, office buildings, etc. Since melanins exhibit brown, red-brown, and golden-brown colors, they would be effective food and beverage colorants for such things as beer, tea, coffee, potato chips, and the like.

Likewise, by absorbing in the ultraviolet range, such melanins would be effective agents in proteding industrial materials against damage from ultraviolet radiation. By "industrial material" or "industrial produd" is meant, for example, truck and car tires, paints, laminating materials, plastics, synthetic resins, and fabrics, particularly fabrics containing nylon, and like materials or produds. It is well known that the rate of deterioration of paints, wood, plastics and rubber is dramatically increased by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In Application S-N. 674,489, filed March 25, 1991, now pending, and in its parent applications, S.N. 603,111 filed Odober 25, 1990, now pending, and S.N. 525,944 filed May 18, 1990, now pending, there are disclosed novel soluble melanins and processes for their production.

One such process involves reaction of dopachrome with at least one enzyme, now known as dopachrome tautomerase, derived from biological cells or tissues which contain a pigmentary system. Advantageously, 5,6-dihydroxyindole, indole-5,6-quinone and/or melanochrome are also present.

If 5,6-dihydroxyindoIe-2-carboxylic acid is induded in the reaction system, dopachrome and dopachrome tautomerase may be omitted and a soluble melanin will still be produced.

While the resulting soluble melanins are quite satisfactory in performance, there are certain limitations in their solubility over a broad pH range. Moreover, the colors of the soluble melanins are somewhat limited in scope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an objed of the present invention to provide additional synthetic forms of soluble melanin at physiological pH and temperatures.

It is another objed of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for modifying the spedral charaderistics of such melanins.

It is another object of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for modifying the solubility charaderistics of such melanins so that they can be dissolved readily in either organic or aqueous solvents.

It is another object of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for increasing the adherence of such melanins to mammalian skin and hair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for applying such melanins to mammalian skin and hair to provide a natural-appearing tan.

It is another objed of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for applying such melanins to mammalian skin and hair to provide a sun¬ screen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide compositions and methods of applying such melanins to skin to treat hypopigmentation.

It is another objed of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for applying such melanins to glass and plastic to provide tint.

It is another objed of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for applying such melanins to industrial produds to provide protedion against ultraviolet radiation.

It is another objed of the invention to provide coloring agents based on soluble melanin to foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, soda, beer, whiskey, liquor, potato chips, and the like.

It is yet another objed of the invention to provide soluble melanins which retain their solubility over a wide pH range.

Still another objed is to provide soluble melanins with an array of possible colors.

The above objects and other objects, aims, and advantages are satisfied by the present Invention. The present invention relates to a melanin that is soluble in aqueous solution, e.g., water or an aqueous buffered solution, at a pH of at least 5 to 9, preferably 6.5 to 7.5, at a temperature of 0° to 100°C. The present invention also relates to a melanin that is soluble in organic solutions, e.g., butanol or butoxyethanoL The soluble melanin is further charaderized by being capable of being filtered through at least a 0.45 micron size filter. The solubility of the melanin in aqueous solutions around neutral pH is in large part due to the abundance of carboxyl and/or amino-groups, whereas the solubility of the melanin in organic solutions is in large part due to the protonation of said carboxyl-groups at acid pH, and/or the de-protonation of amino-groups at basic pH.

The present invention also concerns a method of producing synthetic melanin comprising combining in a reaction mixture dopachrome and dopachrome tautomerase and a phenethylamine of the formula

in which

X and Y each independently is OH or NH2,

R is H or COOH,

R-j, R2 and R3 each independently is H, NO2, CHO, CN, OR4, halogen,

NR ₅ R _6j COOR7, SR ₈ . OPO3H, OSO ₂ H or OOCCH3, and

R4, Rs, Re, R7, and Rs each independently is H or alkyl, preferably lower alkyl of 1 to 4 of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

A preferred phenethylanine is 3-amino-tyrosine which imparts a red golden cast to the resulting melanin.

A 5,6-dihydroxyindole and/or 3-amino-tyrosine may be added to the dopachrome and the enzyme dopachrome tautomerase, or dopachrome may be allowed to spontaneously form 5,6-dihydroxyindole before adding the enzyme. Alternatively, the reaction mixture may comprise a 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid alone, or in a mixture with 5,6-dihydroxyindole and/or 3-amino-tyrosine, or the reaction mixture may comprise a 5,6-dihydroxyindole in combination with 3-amino- tyrosine, in which cases enzymes are not necessary and the reactions occur in the presence of oxygen. The rates of readions are greatly enhanced by the additions of hydrogen peroxide and/or salts of metal ions, e.g., salts of Cu ^2"1" or Fe ^2"1" .

Suitable 5,6-dihydroxyϊndole-2-carboxylic acids are the formula

particularly 5,6-dϊhydroxyϊndole-2-carboxylic acid, Le. the compound in which X and Y are OH and Ri and R ₂ are hydrogen.

The color of the soluble melanin can be varied between black, brown, red and yellow by altering the contents of the readion mixtures, for example by adding sulfhydryl containing compounds, or various metals such as, but not limited to, Cu ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , and Co ² "* ^" or by altering the pH of the reaction mixtures.

The basis for the solubility of the melanin in aqueous solutions is in a large part due to the high degree of carboxyl groups present in the molecule, said carboxyl groups being incorporated as part of the 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxyIic add precursor. When 3-amino-tyrosine or similar compounds are incorporated into the melanin, the basis for the solubility of the melanin is also due to the high degree of amino groups present in the molecule, said amino groups being incorporated as part of the 3-amino-tyrosϊne precursor. Compounds similar to 5,6- dihydroxyϊndole-2-carboxyiic acid or 3-amϊno-tyrosine could substitute in providing

said carboxyl- or amino groups and could therefore also act as precursors to soluble melanin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The melanins of the invention remain in aqueous solution, at- neutral pH (e.g., pH of 5 to 9, preferably 6.5 to 7.5), for long periods of time, e.g., indefinitely, at room temperatures of 0°C to 100°C, e.g., room temperature. The melanins according to the invention are further charaderized by remaining soluble upon freezing/thawing. The inventive melanins are also characterized by being capable of being filtered through at least a 0.45 micron size filter. The melanins according to the invention can be precipitated below pH4.

Following synthesis, the melanins cannot be dialyzed through a semi- permeable membrane which allows the passage of molecules having less than a molecular weight of approximately 10,000. Therefore the melanins according to the invention are of molecular weights greater than 10,000; however, this is not an essential charaderistic for their usefulness. The melanins can be lyophilized to a dry powder form and then reconstituted to soluble form with distilled water or suitable aqueous solvents, e.g., sodium phosphate 0.1M or sodium chloride 0.1M. Following precipitation at acid pH, they can also be reconstituted in organic solvents such as butanol or 2-butoxyethanoI.

The melanins according to the invention can be prepared non-enzymatically (synthetically) or enzymatically.

The enzymatic preparation according to the Invention comprises combining in a reaction mixture a substrate, i.e., dopachrome and dopachrome tautomerase (E.C.5.3.2.3) which catalyzes the isomeric tautomerization of dopachrome to 5,6- dihydroxyindoIe-2-carboxylϊc a d (DHICA).

In the non-enzymatic preparation according to the invention, the readion mixture comprises as a substrate DHICA alone or a mixture of DHICA, 5,6- dihydroxyindole, and or 3-amino-tyrosine. Suitable analogs of DHICA, i.e., similar structures containing carboxyl- or amino- groups, may be substituted in the reaction. Likewise, similar structures containing other electrically charged moieties, such as phosphate groups may be substituted In the reaction. An example of such a structure is 3 '- and/or 4' - phosphoryl phenylalanine (dopa phosphate). The enzymatic or nonenzymatic readion mixtures may still further comprise as a substrate indole-5,6-quinone and/or melanochrome. Metal ions and sulfhydryl-containϊng compounds may be included.

The individual components of the substrate, be it one component, i.e., dopachrome, as in the enzymatic preparation, or more than one component as in the nonenzymatic preparation, preferably will be in an amount of .01 to 5.0 millimolar, but not necessarily limited to this concentration range.

The combining of substrate and enzymes, or precursors without enzymes in the reaction mixtures is preferably condude at a temperature of 15°C to 90°C.

It is preferred in both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic preparation that oxygen, e.g., air or pure oxygen, be present. This is especially true for the nonenzymatic preparations-

Structural formulas and the relationship among some of the above described compounds are depided as follows:

Scheme I

DHICA

Leuco Dopachrome Oopachrome

jζyXX" Melanochrome

HO

Tyrσsiiie

Scheme II

(spontaneous} Dopachrome -CO., Dopachrome Tautomerase

5,6-dϊhydroxyindole 5,6-dϊhydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHl) (DHΓCA)

From Scheme I it is seen that dopa quinone, ieuco dopachrome, dopachrome, DHICA, 5,6-dihydroxyindole, indole-5,6-quinone, and melanochrome are all derivatives of dopa. Dopa itself is a derivative of tyrosine, so the above compounds are also derivatives of tyrosine.

Scheme II shows that dopachrome can give rise to 5,6-dihydroxyindole in a spontaneous non-enzymatic reaction, or it can give rise to DHICA in an enzymatically-catalyzed readion. Dopachrome can also give rise to DHICA in a metal-catalyzed reaction (not shown). The enzyme which catalyzes dopachrome to DHICA is named dopachrome tautomerase- The enzyme may also be a part of a

complex comprising tyrosinase, dopachrome tautomerase, glycoprotein 75, MSH receptor, lysosome-associated membrane protein- 1 and other unknown proteins.

The above described enzymes are described in the following papers:

tyrosinase: Ann Korner and John Pawelek, "Mammalian Tyrosinase Catalyzes Three Readions in the Biosynthesis of Melanin", Science. 217:1163-1165, 1982;

dopachrome tautomerase. John Pawelek, "After Dopachrome?", Pigment Cell Research. 4:53-62. 1991.

glycoprotein 75: Timothy M. Thomson, M. Jules Mattes, Linda Roux, Lloyd Old and Kenneth O. Lloyd, "Pigmentation-associated Glycoprotein of Human Melanomas and Melanocytes: Definition with a Mouse Monoclonal Antibody", vL Invest. Derm.. 85:169-174, 1985;

MSH receptor: Seth J. Orlow, Sara Hotchkiss, and John M. Pawelek, "Internal Binding Sites for MSH: Analyses in Wild Type and Variant Cloudman Melanoma Cells:. J. Cellular Physiology. 142:129 136, 1990.

The melanins according to the present invention can be admixed with a physiologically acceptable carrier to form a composition, which has the uses previously noted.

Physiologically acceptable carriers useful in the pradice of the invention are known in the art and non-limiting examples of such carriers include, for controlled

release — microcapsules comprising carboxymethylene copolymers; for transdermal release — acrylamϊdes; and for topical application — cosmetic bases.

In addition, If desired, the composition according to this embodiment comprises at lease one additive seleded from the group consisting of solvents, fragrances, sunscreening agents, preservatives and chelating agents.

Cosmetic bases useful in the practice of the invention are well known and include lotions, creams, ointments, lipstick, blush, cover-up, foundations and dusting powders. Examples thereof may be found in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,151; 4,282,206 and 2,949,403.

In the case that the inventive compositions are used as tinting agents for glass and plastic or as industrial produd protecting agents, e.g., for protedion against UV degradation, the inventive composition will be incorporated into the glass or plastic or industrial produd. Simply by virtue of their soluble nature, the inventive compositions are easily incorporated in the glass or plastic or industrial produd. For such uses the carriers, diluents, or the like, would not have to be physiologically acceptable. Other conventional agents for such uses could also be formulated therewith.

Solvents for use In accordance with the invention include, for example, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, oil, for example, ground nut oil, distilled and/or deionized water, physiological saline solution and the like. The specific solvent chosen will depend on the method of application-

It may also be desirable to add a preservative to the inventive compositions if they are to be used for topical applications. The preferred mode of administration of the inventive compositions is topical administration. Still further, the melanins of the present invention may be combined with substances that stimulate the pigmentary system under conditions of low levels of UV light.

Preservatives are well known and may be exemplified by methylparaben, "DOWACIL 2000" and propylparaben.

If desired, in order to reduce the acidity or basicity of the inventive compositions, bases, acids or buffers may be added thereto in accordance with the knowledge of the art.

The concentration of melanins in an aerosol, cream, lotion or other composition is preferably 1.0 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml, but not restrided to this concentration range.

Solutions have different colors depending on the concentration of "chromophore: dissolved in them. For example, a deep red solution will appear orange or pink when diluted with more solvent, but no additional chromophore. In the case of the soluble melanin, when it is dissolved at a fairly high concentration in water, e.g., 0.5 mg/ml, it appears brown-black in color. When more water is added so that the concentration of the soluble melanin is reduced to, e.g., 0.1 mg/ml, the solution appears golden in color. It is not believed that diluting the material effeds any shift in the absorbance spectrum, rather it is believed to be a visual perception.

For the nonenzymatic preparation, the 5,6-dϊhydroxyindole-2-carboxyiic acid, 5,6-dϊhydroxyindole, and 3-amϊno-tyrosine may be maintained separately, for example, in microspheres, or in separate tubes or containers, until being mixed together on the skin of a mammal, e.g., human.

The melanins can be made to adhere to the skin for several days and be resistant to water and soap simply by mixing the melanin with any commercially available preparation of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), e.g., Lancome's Conque le du Sol oil ^R . The DHA apparently acts as a cross-linking agent to covalently link the melanin with various fadors, e.g., proteins in the skin. It is likely that other cross- linking agents will achieve the same or better results. An additional advantage of treatment with DHA is that such treatment alters the spectral charaderistics of the melanin, giving it a more even absorbance throughout the UV and visible spectra, without substantially altering the color of the melanin. Treatment of melanins with acetic anhydride also alters the spedral charaderistics of the melanin (Figure 7).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a schematic representation of two pathways for the metabolism of dopachrome.

Figure 2A-C depid graphs showing spedral analyses of DHICA (5mM) incubated with oxygenationΥor various time periods in sodium phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH7.8, 20°C), compared to that of the produd of the dopachrome tautomerase readion (incubation of enzyme + dopachrome 5mM) (2D).

Figure 3 depids graphs showing the formation of melanins by incubating DHICA alone (• •), or DHICA + DHI (o o) at various pH's.

Figure 4 depids a graph showing the effects of aeration on the spectrum of DHICA-melanin.

Figure 5 depids a graph showing the solubility of DHICA-melanin as a function of pH.

Figure 6 depids a graph showing chromatography of DHICA-melanin on an HPLC molecular sieve column.

Figure 7 depids a graph showing the spedral characteristics of soluble melanin composed of a mixture of DHICA (10%) and 3-amino-tyrosine (90%).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now more specifically to the drawings:

Figure 1 depicts a schematic representation of two pathways for the metabolism of dopachrome. In a test tube, dopachrome spontaneously converts to dihydroxyindole (DHI), losing its carboxyl group in the process, however if the enzyme dopachrome tautomerase is present, dopachrome is converted to 5,6- dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA).

Figure 2A-C depicts graphs showing spedral analyses of DHICA (5mM) incubated with oxygenation for various time periods in sodium phosphate buffer

(0.1 M, pH7.8, 20°C), compared to that of the produd of the dopachrome tautomerase reaction (incubation of enzyme + dopachrome 5mM) (2D). (A=15 min; B=48 hrs; C=96 hrs). It is concluded that non-enzymatically synthesized "DHICA- melanin" (Fig. 2C) displays a similar spedrum to that of enzymatically-synthesized melanin (Fig. 2D). The graphs also demonstrate that ^' the melanins absorb light throughout the ultraviolet and visible spectra, thus fulfilling necessary requirements for efficacy as sunscreens and UV-protedants.

Figure 3 depids graphs showing the formation of melanins by incubating DHICA alone (• • ), or DHICA + DHI (o— — -o) at various pH's. The compounds were incubated at concentrations of 5mM at pH5 (sodium acetate, 0.1 M), pH6 (sodium phosphate, 0.1M), and pH7 (sodium phosphate 0.1 M) with oxygenation, and optical densities of allquots (1:50 dilution) were determined over 24 hours. Results for DHI alone are not shown, since this material formed a precipitate which could not be accurately quantitated by spectral analysis. When DHICA and DHI were incubated together, the rate and extent of soluble melanin formation was markedly enhanced over that achieved with DHICA alone, indicating preferential co-polymerization of DHICA and DHI (see Table 1 for quantitation of these data before and after filtration of the melanin). The results demonstrate that the polymerization reaction is enhanced as the pH is raised. Advantageously, 3- amino-tyrosine can be included in the reactions and will co-polymerize with DHICA and/or DHI.

Table 1 depicts quantitation of melanins before and after filtration through 0.22 micron filters. Results are from the same experiment shown in Figure 3 at pH7.

Table 1 : Filtration of Melanins Synthesized from DHICA and/or DHI

Precursor Optical Density (450μ)

- Filtration + Filtration

^* DHI (5mM) and DHICA (5mM) were mixed vigorously, separately or together, i 0.1M sodium phosphate pH7.0 for 24 hours at room temperature. Aliquots wer filtered, samples were diluted 1:20 with H2O, and optical densities were determined i a spedrophotometer.

Figure 4 depids the effects of aeration on the spedrum of DHICA-melanin. DHICA-melanin was synthesized by incubation of DHICA (5mM) in sodium phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH7.8) at room temperature under partial anaerobic (de¬ gassed buffers, stoppered flasks) and aerobic (gassed buffers, open flasks) conditions. After 72 hours with vigorous mixing, spectral analyses were made. The ratios of aerated/anaerobic spectra are presented. The results were that synthesis of DHICA-melanin is enhanced by aeration, and that the effeds of aeration are disproportionate, being most apparent in the visible light range (above 300nm).

Figure 5 depids the solubility of DHICA-melanin as a function of pH. DHICA-melanin (o o) or the model peptide glu:tyr (• • ) (Sigma

Chemical Co., consisting of a 1:1 ratio of glutamic acid to tyrosine, average molecular weight 20,000 to 50,000 daltons) were dissolved in 0.05M sodium phosphate buffers and the pH was adjusted in separate aliquots with HCI. After 2 hours at room temperature, the allquots were centrifuged (1000 g, 10 mϊn), and the optical densities of the supernatant fractions were determined in a spectrophotometer at a wave length of 280nm. The results show that both DHICA- melanins and the glu:tyr peptϊdes are soluble around neutral pH (6-8), and predpitated at add pH. These similarities between DHICA-melanin and the g!u:tyr peptides are consistent with their common expression of carboxylic acid residues. When DHICA-melanins are precipitated at add pH, they can readily be dissolved in organic solvents such as butanol or butoxyethanol.

Figure 6 depicts the chromatography of DHICA-melanin on an HPLC molecular sieve column. DHICA-melanin was synthesized by incubating DHICA (5mM) for 96 hours in sodium phosphate (0.1M, pH7.8) with vigorous shaking in an open flask. The material was applied to a Waters Protein PAK 300 SW column and

its migration rate was compared to that of known globular proteins with molecular weights of approximately 20,000 and 70,000 daltons. Results show that under the above synthetic conditions, DHICA-melanins were formed with molecular weights ranging from 20,000-70,000 daltons. However, it should be noted that molecular weights varied, depending on the synthetic conditions; and in some experiments the material eluted in the void volume of the HPLC column, corresponding to a molecular weight of greater than 200,000 daltons. Also, the HPLC column was calibrated for globular proteins, and since the secondary and tertiary strudure of the DHICA-melanin has yet to be determined, the molecular weight values are estimates only.

Table 2 depids the recovery of DHICA+DHI-melanin following dialysis and filtration. The melanin remained within dialysis tubing having a 12,000-14,000 dalton exclusion limit, and passed through a 0.22 micron filter. It was also determined that the melanin was stable to freezing/thawing, boiling, and that it could be quantitatively redissolved following lyophilization (not shown).

Table 2: Dialysis and Filtration of DHlCA/DHi-Melanϊn ^*

Treatment % Starting Material

Dialysis Filtration

100 + 2 + - 103 ± 9

+ 101 ± 11

+ + 102 + 8

^* DHICA and DHI were mixed vigorously at 20°C for 48 hours at a molar ratio of 1.2:1.0 (DHICA:DHl) and a total precursor concentration of 10mM in 0.1M sodium phosphate, pH7.4. Following storage for approximately 8 weeks at room temperature, allquots of the material were subjeded to exhaustive dialysis in standard dialysis tubing (12,000-14,000 dalton exclusion limit) and/or filtration through 0.22μ filters. The material which remained within the dialysis tubing and/or which passed through the filters was quantitated for optical density at 450nm and the data were normalized to the % of starting material. Results represent average + range of duplicate samples.

Figure 7 depids the spectral charaderistics of soluble melanin composed of a mixture of DHICA (10%) and 3-amino-tyrosine (90%). The melanin was treated with dihydroxyacetone or acetic anhydride as noted in the graph. It can be seen that both treatments produced a more even absorbance of the melanin throughout the spedrum, specifically reducing the spectral peak exhibited by untreated melanin at approximately 340nm. Treatment of the melanin with dihydroxyacetone advantageously enhances adherence of the melanin to mammalian skin.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following non- limiting examples.

Example 1 : Source of Enzymes

The enzyme preparation for the synthesis of DHICA-containing melanins can be obtained from any biological source expressing dopachrome tautomerase adivity. Such activity has been described in a number of mammals, including humans, as well as in inseds (Pawelek, J.M. "After Dopachrome?", Pigment Cell Research 4:53-62, 1991; Sugumaran , M. "Molecular Mechanisms for Mammalian Melanogenesis-Comparison with Insed Cuticular Sclerotization" FEBS Letters 293:4-10, 1991 ; Li, J. and Nappi, A.J. "Electrochemical Identification of Dopachrome Isomerase in Drosophila Melanogaster", Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 180:724-729, 1991). Although in insects, the enzymatic activity ultimately results in the production of DHI rather than DHICA, which would not be useful for the production of DHICA melanin. In contrast, the mammalian readion product of a mixture of dopachrome tautomerase and dopachrome has been confirmed from a number of studies to be DHICA (Figure 1).

Example 2: Enzymatic Synthesis of DHICA-melanins

In a suitable readion vessel, mix an adϊve preparation of dopachrome tautomerase, obtained, for example, from an extract of cultured mouse melanocytes, with 5mM dopachrome, in an aqueous buffer of 0.1M sodium phosphate, pH6.8, at 15-37°C. Orange dopachrome is tautomerized to colorless DHICA within one hour. Upon further incubation with ample aeration (Figure 4), DHICA-melanin forms through auto-polymerization of DHICA (Figure 2D). Alternatively, DHICA (5mM) is incubated under aeration together with DHI (5mM), 3-amϊno-tyrosine (5mM), or cysteine (5mM), . either alone or in various combinations, and they, too, are then polymerized along with DHICA into melanin. In addition, following the formation of DHICA through the tautomerase reaction, hydrogen peroxide (50mM) and/or metal ions such as Cu ⁺⁺ or Fe ⁺⁺ (1mM) can be added to increase the rate of the reaction and thereby reduce the time involved for melanin formation. H2O2 and/or metal ions can be added together with DHICA and/or with DHICA in various combinations with DHI, 3-amino-tyrosine, or cysteine as mentioned above. The melanin so produced can be passed through at least a 0.45 micron filter (Tables 1 and 2), is predpitated below pH4 (Figure 5), is non- dϊalyzeable (Table 2), is of a molecular weight of greater than at least 10,000 daltons and more closely of the order of 20,000 to 70,000 daltons (Figure 6), and is stable to freezing, thawing, and boiling.

Example 3: Non-enzymatic Synthesis of DHICA-melanins

DHICA (10mM) is incubated in 0.2M ammonium hydroxide with aeration at 15-70°C for 72 hours. DHICA-melanin is formed through auto-polymerization of DHICA (Figure 2A-C). Other suitable precursors and procedures for speeding up

the reaction, as described in Example 2, can be employed. Charaderistics of the non-enzymatically synthesized melanins are identical to those of enzymatically synthesized melanins (Example 2).

Example 4: Method for Adherence of DHICA-melanins to Human Skin and Hair

DHICA-melanin is mixed with any commercially available preparation of dihydroxyacetone, e.g., Lancome's Conque le du Sol oil ^R to a final concentration of 1 to 5% (wt/vol) and applied evenly to the skin until the desired degree of darkening is achieved. The melanin adheres to the skin and, at suitable concentrations, masks or alters the net coloring-effeds of dihydroxyacetone known to the art. Similar procedures can be followed for adherence of melanin to hair. Alternatively, DHA (5-50mM) can be included in the synthetic readions described in Example 2 and the melanin so produced exhibits adherence to skin and hair.

Example 5: Methods for Altering the Spedral Charaderistics of DHICA-melanins

DHICA-melanin (10% wt/vol), preferably containing co-polymerized monomers of 3-amino-tyrosine, as described in Example 2, is mixed with equimolar dihydroxyacetone at room temperature, or equimolar acetic anhydride on ice for one hour. The amount of dihydroxyacetone or acetic anhydride, though preferably in equimolar concentrations, depends upon the degree of spectral alteration desired and can be increased as much as 10 fold in molar excess (see Figure 7).

Example 6: Adaptation of DHICA-melanin to Solubility in Organic Solvents

DHICA-melanin (10% wt vol) is precipitated from aqueous solution by lowering the pH below 4 with acid such as HCI or acetic acid (Figure 5). The precipitated material is dried by either air-drying, lyophϊlization, or ether extraction. The dried melanin is then dissolved in either butanol or butoxyethanol at concentrations in the range of but not limited to 0.05-5% by volume of the organic solvent.

Example 7: Coloring Beer with DHICA-melanin

DHICA-melanin (10% wt vol), preferably, containing co-polymerized monomers of 3-amino-tyrosine, is mixed with, for example, Budweiser Beer, until a desired color is achieved. The melanin concentrations vary between, but are not limited to 0.005-1.0% by weight of the beer solution.

It will be appreciated that the instant specification and claims are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.