Accumulation of radioiodinated tyrosine derivatives in the adrenal medulla and in melanomas

Abstract
Because tyrosine and dopa can be regarded as precursors of adrenomedullary hormones and melanin, radioiodinated derivatives of these compounds were tested for their accumulation in the adrenal medulla and in melanomas of various animal species. The highest level of accumulation in the adrenal medulla was attained in mice and rats with iodinated β-hydroxy-α-methyltyramine, and in melanomas of mice with iodinated α-methyltyrosine. The results could not be reproduced to the same extent in other species.