Reply #14: Clarification of the term "melamine": describes at least two different substances.

[eppur_se_muova]

Melamine is a nitrogen-rich organic compound which can, among other things, be used to make a type of thermosetting resin by reaction with formaldehyde. These "melamine resins" -- of which there is actually a large variety -- are, unfortunately, often referred to as just "melamine" (excessive abbreviation abounds in industrial chemical terminology). The compound found in the pet food is apparently simple melamine. There is no reason to suppose that melamine plasticware is a source of any toxicity, *assuming* it is made properly, etc.

The wiki entry is a little brief, but includes the basics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamine

on edit:


Aminopterin



Melamine



Adenine, one of the DNA/RNA 'bases'. Many derivatives of these bases play a role in metabolism, including energy transport. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenosine_triphosphate

Note the common motif of -NH2 groups hanging off of 6-rings with at least two N's in alternate positions. This suggests that these compounds might be sufficiently similar to compete for binding to the same enzyme(s). Also suggests a test for aminopterin might give a false positive if melamine is present.