L-tyrosine induces the production of a pyomelanin-like pigment by the parasitic yeast-form of Histoplasma capsulatum

Rodrigo Almeida-Paes, Fernando Almeida-Silva, Gabriela Costa Maia Pinto, Marcos De Abreu Almeida, Mauro De Medeiros Muniz, Claudia Vera Pizzini, Gary J. Gerfen, Joshua Daniel Nosanchuk, Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Melanization of Histoplasma capsulatum remains poorly described, particularly in regards to the forms of melanin produced. In the present study, 30 clinical and environmental H. capsulatum strains were grown in culture media with or without L-tyrosine under conditions that produced either mycelial or yeast forms. Mycelial cultures were not melanized under the studied conditions. However, all strains cultivated under yeast conditions produced a brownish to black soluble pigment compatible with pyomelanin when grew in presence of L-tyrosine. Sulcotrione inhibited pigment production in yeast cultures, strengthening the hyphothesis that H. capsulatum yeast forms produce pyomelanin. Since pyomelanin is produced by the fungal parasitic form, this pigment may be involved in H. capsulatum virulence.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)506-509
Number of pages4
JournalMedical mycology
Volume56
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2018

Keywords

  • Histoplasma capsulatum
  • L-tyrosine
  • Pyomelanin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases

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