title: L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine induces melanin production by members of the genus Trichosporon.
abstract: Melanization of members of the genus Trichosporon is poorly described. In this study, six strains, including two clinical isolates, from four different species (Trichosporon asahii, T. asteroides, T. inkin, and T. mucoides) were grown in culture media with or without L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). Each strain produced a brownish pigment compatible with melanin when cultured in presence of L-DOPA, suggesting that these species are able to produce eumelanin. L-tyrosine was not able to elicit any type of pigment production on cultures. As eumelanin is produced by several fungi during parasitism, this pigment may contribute to Trichosporon virulence.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Helena Galdino
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Figueiredo-Carvalho
authors.forename: Fábio B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: Joshua D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nosanchuk
authors.forename: Rosely M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zancope-Oliveira
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almeida-Paes
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010641:Phenotype; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D008543:Melanins; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine
keywords: Trichosporon; l-DOPA; melanin