Melanin expression in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: chemical induction with L-DOPA and L-epinephrine

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Martha Eugenia Urán J.
Lina Marcela Castañeda A.
Ángela Restrepo M.
Luz Elena Cano R.

Abstract

Introduction. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most important mycoses in Latin America, it is a thermo dimorphic fungi that growth at 36°C (yeast-parasitic form) and 18ºC (mycelia- saprophytic form).


Objective. To determine in vitro the expression of melanin by P. brasiliensis using L-DOPA and Lepinephrine chemical factors. Materials and methods. ATCC 60855 P. brasiliensis strain growth in pH 5,5 synthetic media supplemented with L-dihidroxifenilalanina or L-epinephrine.


Results. Was observed that chemical induction with L-DOPA 1mM or L-epinephrine 0,8 mg/ml generated melanization of the P. brasiliensis yeast.


Conclusions. P. brasiliensis yeast could growth in vitro in acid media (pH 5,5) and synthesizes melanin using external chemical induction as L-DOPA or L-epinephrine.

Keywords:
Melanins, Paracoccidioides, Levodopa, epinephrine, Paracoccidioidomycosis, Fungi, Virulence factors

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