YHU Scientific Journal, Vol 11, p68-72, 2024
GENETICS OF MICROBIAL MELANIN BIOSYNTHESIS
Murshidah Shereen M, Noble K Kurian
School of Life Sciences, BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology,
Vandalur, Chennai
Received 12.06.24, reviewed 07.07., accepted 17.07
DOI: 10.61484/29538181-sj.11.24-4
Abstract. Melanin, a ubiquitous phenolic pigment, is considered a photoprotective shield that also plays a vital role in many other activities in microbes like contributing to virulence, surviving in harsh environments, etc. Melanins belong to diverse groups depending on the precursor and the metabolic pathway in which it is produced. Genes involved in melanin biosynthesis in bacteria and fungi are not much explored. It is understood that the primary genes playing a role in melanin biosynthesis include melC, hppD, and PKS. The regulation of these genes resulted in the production of melanin in microbes. This review will explore the genes involved in melanin production by bacteria and fungi.
Keywords: melanin, tyrosinase, polyketide synthase, hppD
Abstract. Melanin, a ubiquitous phenolic pigment, is considered a photoprotective shield that also plays a vital role in many other activities in microbes like contributing to virulence, surviving in harsh environments, etc. Melanins belong to diverse groups depending on the precursor and the metabolic pathway in which it is produced. Genes involved in melanin biosynthesis in bacteria and fungi are not much explored. It is understood that the primary genes playing a role in melanin biosynthesis include melC, hppD, and PKS. The regulation of these genes resulted in the production of melanin in microbes. This review will explore the genes involved in melanin production by bacteria and fungi.
Keywords: melanin, tyrosinase, polyketide synthase, hppD