Jd. Nosanchuk et al., Glyphosate inhibits melanization of Cryptococcus neoformans and prolongs survival of mice after systemic infection, J INFEC DIS, 183(7), 2001, pp. 1093-1099
Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen and is a relatively comm
on cause of life-threatening meningoencephalitis. Glyphosate is a widely us
ed herbicide that inhibits the synthesis of aromatic amino acids via the sh
ikimate acid pathway. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate on
C. neoformans growth, melanization, and murine infection. C. neoformans was
relatively resistant to glyphosate, requiring concentrations >250 mg/mL fo
r inhibition. Melanization of C. neoformans in the presence of L-dopa was i
nhibited by subinhibitory concentrations of glyphosate. Glyphosate inhibite
d autopolymerization of L-dopa and oxidation of L-epinephrine by cryptococc
al cells, which is mediated by a laccase. Administration of glyphosate to m
ice infected with C. neoformans delayed melanization of yeast cells in vivo
and prolonged average mouse survival. The results suggest that inhibition
of melanization in vivo may facilitate control of C. neoformans infection.