Peroxynitrite mediated linoleic acid oxidation and tyrosine nitration in the presence of synthetic neuromelanins

Peroxynitrite-mediated linoleic acid oxidation and tyrosine nitration were analysed in the presence of synthetic model neuromelanins: dopamine (DA) -melanin, cysteinyldopamine (CysDA) -melanin and various DA/CysDA copolymers. The presence of melanin significantly decreased the amount of 3-nitrotyrosine formed. This inhibitory effect depended on the type and concentration of melanin polymer. It was found that incorporation of CysDA-derived units into melanin attenuated its protective effect on tyrosine nitration induced by peroxynitrite. In the presence of bicarbonate, the melanins also inhibited 3-nitrotyrosine formation in a concentration dependent manner, although the extent of inhibition was lower than in the absence of bicarbonate. The tested melanins inhibited peroxynitrite-induced formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides, both in the absence and in the presence of bicarbonate. In the presence of bicarbonate, among the oxidation products appeared 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). CysDA-melanin inhibited the formation of HNE, while DA-melanin did not affect the aldehyde level. The results of the presented study suggest that neuromelanin can act as a natural scavenger of peroxynitrite.