Pyomelanin is produced by Shewanella algae BrY and affected by exogenous iron
Abstract
Melanin production by Shewanella algae BrY occurred during late- and (or) 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-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor sulcotrione and by concentrations of Fe ≥ 0.38 mmol·L–1. These data support the hypothesis that pigment production by S. algae BrY was a result of the conversion of tyrosine or phenylalanine to homogentisic acid, which was excreted, auto-oxidized, and self-polymerized to form pyomelanin. Pyomelanin production by S. algae BrY may play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of Fe in the environment.
Department
Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences
Publication Date
4-2-2008
Journal Title
Canadian Journal of Microbiology
Publisher
NRC Research Press (Canadian Science Publishing)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Turick, C.E., F. Caccavo Jr., and L.S. Tisa. 2008. Pyomelanin production by Shewanella algae BrY and affected by exogenous iron. Can. J. Microbiol. 54:334-339. (DOI 10.1139/W08-014)