Intraspecific Variation in Gamma-Radiation Resistance and Genomic Structure in the Filamentous Fungus Alternaria alternata: A Case Study of Strains Inhabiting Chernobyl Reactor No. 4

Мироненко, Н. В.; Alekhina, Irina A.; Жданова, Н. Н.; Булат, С. А.

doi:10.1006/eesa.1999.1848

Cited by 80 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…It was assumed that melanin pigments, participating in redox reactions, are able to perceive the energy of radiation (UV, visible light, and radiation) and convert it into useful reducing power for metabolic processes. This hypothesis is supported by the discovery of melanized fungi in soils contaminated by radioactive nuclides and areas around the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactors, which not only survive high radiation levels but also have enhanced growth upon exposure [16,19,119,120]. Owing to its semiconductor property, melanin becomes a promising material for organic bioelectronic devices like transistors, sensors, and batteries [121].…”

Section: Biological Activities Of Melaninmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production of Melanin Pigment by Fungi and Its Biotechnological Applications

Sponchiado¹,

Sousa²,

Andrade³

et al. 2017

Melanin

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Production of the microbial pigments is one of the emerging fields of research due to a growing interest of the industry for safer products, easily degradable and eco-friendly. Fungi constitute a valuable source of pigments because they are capable of producing high yields of the substance in the cheap culture medium, making the bioprocess economically viable on the industrial scale. Some fungal species produce a dark-brown pigment, known as melanin, by oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds, such as glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene (GDHB) or catechol or 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). This pigment has been reported to act as "fungal armor" due to its ability to protect fungi from adverse conditions, neutralizing oxidants generated in response to stress. Apart from the scavenging activity, melanin exhibits other biological activities, including thermoregulatory, radio-and photoprotective, antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory. Studies have shown that the media composition and cultivation conditions affect the pigment production in fungi and the manipulation of these parameters can result in an increase in pigment yield for large-scale pigment production. This chapter presents a comprehensive discussion of the research on fungal melanin, including the recently discovered biological activities and the potential use of this pigment for various biotechnological applications in the fields of biomedicine, dermocosmetics, materials science, and nanotechnology.

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Section: Biological Activities Of Melaninmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production of Melanin Pigment by Fungi and Its Biotechnological Applications

Sponchiado¹,

Sousa²,

Andrade³

et al. 2017

Melanin

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“…The protective properties of melanin against radiation injury could account for the growth of black fungi in the highly contaminated Chernobyl Reactor No. 4 (83). The pigment significantly contributes to the ability of C. neoformans to withstand extremes in heat and cold (108).…”

Section: Melanins Confer a Survival Advantage To Environmental Microbesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Melanin on Microbial Virulence and Clinical Resistance to Antimicrobial Compounds

Nosanchuk

Casadevall

2006

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

360

284

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“…Melanized C. neoformans is more resistant to ingestion by environmental amoeboid [25] or nematode [26] species. Melanins also protect fungi from hydrolytic enzymes [27], UV, solar or gamma radiation [28,29], extreme temperatures [30], and heavy metals and several other toxic compounds [reviewed in 24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: a minireview

et al. 2008

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Melanin pigments are substances produced by a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and helminths. Microbes predominantly produce melanin pigment via tyrosinases, laccases, catecholases, and the polyketide synthase pathway. In fungi, melanin is deposited in the cell wall and cytoplasm, and melanin particles (''ghosts'') can be isolated from these fungi that have the same size and shape of the original cells. Melanin has been reported in several human pathogenic dimorphic fungi including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii. Melanization appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized fungi to host defense mechanisms and antifungal drugs.

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Intraspecific Variation in Gamma-Radiation Resistance and Genomic Structure in the Filamentous Fungus Alternaria alternata: A Case Study of Strains Inhabiting Chernobyl Reactor No. 4

Cited by 80 publications

References 33 publications

Production of Melanin Pigment by Fungi and Its Biotechnological Applications

Production of Melanin Pigment by Fungi and Its Biotechnological Applications

Impact of Melanin on Microbial Virulence and Clinical Resistance to Antimicrobial Compounds

Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: a minireview

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