Melanogenesis in Cryptococcus neoformans

The copper interference with the melanogenesis OF Cryptococcus neoformans.

Melanin is a pigment produced by laccase, a phenoloxydase enzyme, and is related to the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans as it is also considered an adaption mechanism to environmental conditions and protection against UV radiation, phagocytic system attack and antifungal drugs. Laccase synthesis is stimulated by several factors, including copper metabolism. The current study shows C. neofo...

DETECTION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS BY SEMINESTED PCR IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

 ABSTRACT Life-threatening infections caused by the encapsulated fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans have been increasing steadily over the past 10 years. Cryptococcus neoformans is recognized as the most frequent fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) in immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised patients. We report the development of a semi-nested- PCR-based assay for the ...

Cryptococcus neoformans.

Seven nonencapsulated mutants of Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated from an encapsulated strain of human origin. Initially, the mutants were avirulent for mice. After several months of subculturing, six of the seven isolates reverted LO the encapsulated state and possessed varying degrees of virulence. The results of these experiments suggest that a strong correlation exists between the pres...

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...