Al. Rosas et A. Casadevall, Melanization decreases the susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans to enzymatic degradation, MYCOPATHOLO, 151(2), 2001, pp. 53-56
Cryptococcus neoformans is a free-living fungus that is primarily found in
soils contaminated with avian excreta. Recent studies have shown that C. ne
oformans can synthesize melanins or melanin-like compounds in avian excreta
. Melanization has been associated with protection of C. neoformans against
harsh environmental conditions, such as ultraviolet radiation and extremes
of temperature. In this study we examined whether melanization can protect
C. neoformans against enzymatic degradation. Our results demonstrated that
in vitro melanization decreases the susceptibility of C. neoformans to hyd
rolytic enzymes. This suggests a role for melanin in protection of C. neofo
rmans against enzymatic degradation by antagonistic microbes in the environ
ment.