The effect of L-DOPA on Cryptococcus neoformans growth and gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Cryptococcus neoformans is unusual among melanotic fungi in that it requires an exogenous supply of precursor to synthesize melanin. C. neoformans melanizes during mammalian infection in a process that presumably uses host-supplied compounds such as catecholamines. L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is a natural catecholamine that is frequently used to induce melanization in C. neoformans and L-DOPA-melanized cryptococci manifest resistance to radiation, phagocytosis, detergents and heavy metals. Given that C. neoformans needs exogenous substrate for melanization one question in the field is the extent to which melanin-associated phenotypes reflect the presence of melanin or metabolic changes in response to substrates. In this study we analyze the response of C. neoformans to L-DOPA wit

SUBMITTER: Eisenman HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3173677 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature