A melanin‐dispersing effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate on Fundulus melanophores

Treatment of Fundulus melanophores with adenosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is followed by reversible melanin dispersion in these cells. Adenosine 3′‐monophosphate and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate both have a similar, but weaker dispersing action. In addition, adenosine 5′‐monophosphate also has a melanin aggregating effect. These results are interpreted to mean that nerve transmitters may act by controlling the level of cyclic AMP within the Fundulus melanophore.