Role of Sulfhydryl Compounds in Pigmentation

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Abstract
Evidence for the support of the theory that sulfhydryl compounds inhibit the formation of melanin is obtained from observations of in vivo and in vitro expts. Expts. in vivo suggest that sulfhydryl compounds are in equilibrium with a Cu-containing enzyme, in analogy with in vitro expts. where epidermal extracts and cupric ions neutralize each other''s effect on the substrate dopa (dihydroxyphenylalanine). Under the action of pigment-producing stimuli, this equilibrium is disturbed by oxidation of -SH groups, thus the enzyme is able to act on the substrate to form pigment.