Search

Melanogenesis, thyroid hormones and catecholamines synthesis share the same amino acid, free L-tyrosine for melanogenesis and catecholamines synthesis, L-tyrosine residues for thyroid hormones synthesis. The author describes basic and applied research on Melanogenesis and thyroid hormones metabolism in Biochemistry laboratory, School of Medicine, Marseilles since his arrival in 1962. He gives a short review of his participation in these two areas during his career in Marseilles, Yaoundé and Boston.

Five out of six albino persons in Puerto Rico suffer from the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. This syndrome has been reported also in other countries such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Mexico, among others. Due to the geographical isolation of the island it is likely that these patients share a common ancestor. In explaining how the gene may have arrived to Puerto Rico the following possibilities are considered: (1) British soldiers attacking the island since 1595. (2) Dutch attackers in 1625. (3) aboriginal tribes. (4) slave traders.