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Synthesis and assembly of fungal melanin

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 93, pages 931–940 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Melanin is a unique pigment with myriad functions that is found in all biological kingdoms. It is multifunctional, providing defense against environmental stresses such as ultraviolet (UV) light, oxidizing agents and ionizing radiation. Melanin contributes to the ability of fungi to survive in harsh environments. In addition, it plays a role in fungal pathogenesis. Melanin is an amorphous polymer that is produced by one of two synthetic pathways. Fungi may synthesize melanin from endogenous substrate via a 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) intermediate. Alternatively, some fungi produce melanin from l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa). The detailed chemical structure of melanin is not known. However, microscopic studies show that it has an overall granular structure. In fungi, melanin granules are localized to the cell wall where they are likely cross-linked to polysaccharides. Recent studies suggest the fungal melanin may be synthesized in internal vesicles akin to mammalian melanosomes and transported to the cell wall. Potential applications of melanin take advantage of melanin's radioprotective properties and propensity to bind to a variety of substances.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported (in part) by a grant from The City University of New York PSC-CUNY Research Award Program to H. Eisenman. A. Casadevall is supported by the National Institutes of Health grants HL059842, AI033774, AI033142, and AI052733.

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  1. Department of Natural Sciences, Baruch College and Graduate Center, the City University of New York, 17 Lexington Avenue, Box A-506, New York, NY, 10010, USA

    Helene C. Eisenman

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Arturo Casadevall

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  1. Helene C. Eisenman
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  2. Arturo Casadevall
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Correspondence to Helene C. Eisenman.

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Eisenman, H.C., Casadevall, A. Synthesis and assembly of fungal melanin. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 93, 931–940 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-011-3777-2

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Keywords

  • Fungi
  • Melanin
  • Cell wall
  • Vesicle
  • Chitin
  • Radioprotection