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Substantia nigra neuromelanin: structure, synthesis, and molecular behaviour

¹ Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies-CNR, Via Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate (MI), Italy
² Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
³ Newron Pharmaceuticals R&D Department, Gerenzano, Italy
⁴ Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

Correspondence: Dr Zecca zecca{at}itba.mi.cnr.it

The pigmented neurones of the substantia nigra are typically lost in Parkinson's disease; however, the possible relation between neuronal vulnerability and the presence of neuromelanin has not been elucidated. Early histological studies revealed the presence of increasing amounts of neuromelanin in the substantia nigra with aging in higher mammals, showed that the neuromelanin granules are surrounded by a membrane, and comparatively evaluated the pigmentation of the substantia nigra in different animal species. Histochemical studies showed the association of neuromelanin with lipofuscins. However, systematic investigations of the structure, synthesis, and molecular interactions of neuromelanin have been undertaken only during the past decade. In these later studies, neuromelanin was identified as a genuine melanin with a strong chelating ability for iron and an affinity for compounds such as lipids, pesticides, and MPP⁺. The affinity of neuromelanin for a variety of inorganic and organic toxins is consistent with a postulated protective function for neuromelanin. Moreover, the neuronal accumulation of neuromelanin during aging and the link between its synthesis and a high cytosolic concentration of catechols suggest a protective role. However, its putative neuroprotective effects could be quenched in conditions of toxin overload.

Key Words: neuromelanin • substantia nigra • locus coeruleus • Parkinson's disease

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