Growth conditions influence melanization of Brazilian clinical Sporothrix schenckii isolates

Rodrigo Almeida-Paes, Susana Frases, Paulo Cezar Fialho Monteiro, Maria Clara Gutierrez-Galhardo, Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira, Joshua D. Nosanchuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sporothrix schenckii is known to produce DHN melanin on both conidial and yeast cells, however little information is available regarding the factors inducing fungal melanization. We evaluated whether culture conditions influenced melanization of 25 Brazilian S. schenckii strains and one control strain (ATCC 10212). Tested conditions included different media, pH, temperature, incubation time, glucose concentrations, and presence or absence of tricyclazole or L-DOPA. Melanization was reduced on Sabouraud compared to defined chemical medium. The majority of strains produced small amounts of melanin at 37 °C and none melanized at basic pH. Increased glucose concentrations did not inhibit melanization, rather increasing glucose enhanced pigment production in 27% of strains. Melanin synthesis was also enhanced by the addition of L-DOPA and its addition to medium with tricyclazole, an inhibitor of melanin synthesis, resulted in fungal melanization, including hyphal melanin production. Our results suggest that different S. schenckii strains have distinct control of melanization and that this fungus can use phenolic compounds to enhance melanization in vitro.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)554-562
Number of pages9
JournalMicrobes and Infection
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Culture conditions
  • Melanin
  • Sporothrix schenckii

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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