Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Catecholamine uptake, melanization, and oxygen toxicity in Cryptococcus neoformans.

E S Jacobson1, H S Emery

  • 1Research Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23249.

Journal of Bacteriology
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Cryptococcus neoformans mutations affecting oxygen sensitivity were identified. These mutations impact melanin production and catechol metabolism, suggesting a protective role against oxidants.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

3-Hydroxyanthranilate in Cryptococcus neoformans: a secreted reductant that does not enable wood rot.

Medical mycology·2003
Same author

Pathogenic roles for fungal melanins.

Clinical microbiology reviews·2000
Same author

Genetic and physiologic characterization of ferric/cupric reductase constitutive mutants of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Infection and immunity·1999
Same author

Ferrous iron uptake in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Infection and immunity·1998
Same author

Redox buffering by melanin and Fe(II) in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Journal of bacteriology·1997
Same author

Ferric iron reduction by Cryptococcus neoformans.

Infection and immunity·1997

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
  • Oxygen levels can influence fungal physiology and virulence.
  • Melanin production is a known virulence factor in some fungi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize genetic loci associated with oxygen sensitivity in Cryptococcus neoformans.
  • To investigate the relationship between oxygen sensitivity, albinism, and catechol metabolism.
  • To elucidate the role of catecholamine metabolism in protecting C. neoformans from oxidative stress.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic mapping of oxygen-sensitive mutants.
  • Phenotypic analysis including albinism assessment.
  • Biochemical assays for catechol uptake and oxidation.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Oxygen sensitivity mutations were mapped to three distinct genetic loci.
  • Three mutants displayed allelic mutations linked to both oxygen sensitivity and albinism.
  • These mutants, along with a fourth, showed impaired catechol uptake and oxidation to melanin.
  • Catecholamine metabolism was implicated in protecting C. neoformans against oxidants.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic loci influencing oxygen sensitivity in C. neoformans have been identified.
  • A link exists between oxygen sensitivity, albinism, and defects in catechol metabolism.
  • Catecholamine metabolism plays a crucial role in the oxidative stress response of C. neoformans.