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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #105018
Title: PENTAKETIDE MELANIN BIOSYNTHESIS IN SPOROTHRIX SCHENCKII

Author
item Wheeler, Michael - Mike
item ROMERO, R - UNAM - MEXICO
item GUERRERO-PLATA, A - UNAM - MEXICO
item TORRES-GUERRERO, H - UNAM - MEXICO

Submitted to: International Botanical Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sporothrix schenckii causes sporotrichosis, a human cutaneous mycosis. It produces dark conidia which infect the host. We found that S. schenckii synthesizes melanin via the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene pathway. Two melanin deficient mutants were analyzed in the study: an albino that produced normal appearing melanin on a scytalone amended medium, and a reddish-brown nmutant that secreted scytalone and flaviolin into the medium. TEM showed an electron dense granular material in wild type conidial cell walls believed to be melanin, and this was absent in conidial walls of the albino unless the albino was grown on scytalone amended medium. melanin protected S. Schenckii against UV light, certain oxidative compounds, and attack by macrophages.