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

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 beta-hydroxy-alpha-methyltyramine, and in melanomas of mice with iodinated alpha-methyltyrosine. The results could not be reproduced to the same extent in other species.