Utilization of indole compounds by Cryptococcus neoformans to produce a melanin-like pigment.
Several indoles served as substrates for the phenoloxidase of Cryptococcus neoformans and resulted in the production of a melanin-like pigment. In general, a higher percentage of C. neoformans var. neoformans (A and D serotypes) isolates could produce pigment from indoles than could those of var. gattii (B and C serotypes). Only compounds with a hydroxyl or an amino group on the phenyl ring produced pigment; methoxy, nitro, methyl, and fluorine substituents on the phenyl ring were inactive, as was a hydroxyl group at the 2 position on the indole ring. The phenoloxidase of C. neoformans thus appears to differ from that found in Mycobacterium leprae, which cannot use a hydroxyindole, desoxyfructo-5-hydroxytryptamine, as a substrate. In addition, C. neoformans differs from M. leprae in that desoxyfructo-5-hydroxytryptamine does not inhibit the uptake of dihydroxyphenylalanine into the cell.
D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000378:metabolism*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D007211:Indoles; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase