Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: A minireview

Carlos P. Taborda; Marcelo B. Da Silva; Joshua D. Nosanchuk; Luiz R. Travassos

doi:10.1007/s11046-007-9061-4

Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: A minireview

Carlos P. Taborda, Marcelo B. Da Silva, Joshua D. Nosanchuk, Luiz R. Travassos

Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles ("ghosts") can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	331-339
Number of pages	9
Journal	Mycopathologia
Volume	165
Issue number	4-5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-007-9061-4
State	Published - Apr 2008

Keywords

Dimorphic fungi
Melanin
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Pathogenesis
Susceptibility

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Microbiology
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Agronomy and Crop Science
veterinary (miscalleneous)

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title = "Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: A minireview",

abstract = "Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles ({"}ghosts{"}) can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.",

keywords = "Dimorphic fungi, Melanin, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Pathogenesis, Susceptibility",

author = "Taborda, {Carlos P.} and {Da Silva}, {Marcelo B.} and Nosanchuk, {Joshua D.} and Travassos, {Luiz R.}",

year = "2008",

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T1 - Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi

T2 - A minireview

AU - Taborda, Carlos P.

AU - Da Silva, Marcelo B.

AU - Nosanchuk, Joshua D.

AU - Travassos, Luiz R.

PY - 2008/4

Y1 - 2008/4

N2 - Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles ("ghosts") can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.

AB - Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles ("ghosts") can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.

KW - Dimorphic fungi

KW - Melanin

KW - Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

KW - Pathogenesis

KW - Susceptibility

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