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PYOMELANIN IS PRODUCED BY SHEWANELLA ALGAE BRY AND EFFECTED BY EXOGENOUS IRON

Journal Article · · Canadian Journal of Microbiology
OSTI ID:896528

Melanin production by S. algae BrY occurred during late/post-exponential growth in lactate-basal-salts liquid medium supplemented with tyrosine or phenylalanine. The antioxidant ascorbate inhibited melanin production, but not production of the melanin precursor, homogentisic acid. In the absence of ascorbate, melanin production was inhibited by the 4-hydroxyplenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, sulcotrione and Fe(II) (>0.2mM). These data support the hypothesis that pigment production by S. algae BrY was a result the conversion of tyrosine or phenylalanine to homogentisic acid which was excreted, auto-oxidized and self-polymerized to form pyomelanin. The inverse relationship between Fe(II) concentration and pyomelanin production has implications that pyomelanin may play a role in iron assimilation under Fe(II) limiting conditions.

Research Organization:
SRS
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-96SR18500
OSTI ID:
896528
Report Number(s):
WSRC-STI-2006-00323
Journal Information:
Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Journal Name: Canadian Journal of Microbiology; ISSN 0008-4166; ISSN CJMIAZ
Publisher:
pubinfo
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English