Homogentisic acid is the primary precursor of melanin synthesis in Vibrio cholerae, a Hyphomonas strain, and Shewanella colwelliana

Induction of melanin biosynthesis in Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae synthesized the pigment melanin in response to specific physiological conditions that were stressful to the bacterium. Pigmentation was induced when V. cholerae was subjected to hyperosmotic stress in conjunction with elevated growth temperatures (above 30 degrees C). The salt concentration tolerated by V. cholerae was lowered by additional abiotic factors such as acidic startin...

Cryptococcus neoformans can utilize the bacterial melanin precursor 1 homogentisic acid for fungal melanogenesis 2

Cryptococcus neoformans can utilize the bacterial melanin precursor homogentisic acid for fungal melanogenesis.

Cryptococcus neoformans melanizes in the environment and in mammalian tissues, but the process of melanization in either venue is mysterious given that this microbe produces melanin only from exogenous substrates. Understanding the process of melanization is important because melanization is believed to protect against various stresses in the environment, including UV radiation, and pigment pro...

MelA protein responsible for melanin production in the freshwater bacterium Shewanella colwelliana and the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase of Pseudomonas

In vitro evaluation of capsaicin inhibitory effects on zonula occludens toxin in vibrio cholerae ATCC14035 strain

Background: Cholera is a potentially epidemic and life-threatening secretory diarrhoea characterized by voluminous watery stools, often accompanied by vomiting, and resulting in hypovolemic shock and acidosis. It is caused by certain strains of the species Vibrio cholerae which can also cause mild or in apparent infections. The aim of this study is the evaluation of Capsaicin, as a potential in...