title: Melanin biosynthesis in Cryptococcus neoformans.
abstract: Pigment production by Cryptococcus neoformans is virulence associated. Dopamine- and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-melanin products were identified after acidic permanganate oxidation, alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation, or hydrolysis with hydriodic acid. These data provide direct chemical evidence for the formation of eumelanin polymers by catecholamine oxidation by laccase alone followed by oxidative coupling of dihydroxyindole.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 60612, USA. prw@uic.edu
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakamatsu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000378:metabolism*; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D042845:Laccase; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002395:Catecholamines; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D008543:Melanins; D010087:Oxides; C048856:permanganic acid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; C040616:DOPA melanin; C010466:hydroiodic acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042845:Laccase