Melanins in fungi: Types, localization and putative biological roles

• Published in: Physiological and molecular plant pathology Vol. 99; pp. 2 - 6
• Main Authors: Toledo, Andrea Vanesa, Franco, Mario Emilio Ernesto, Yanil Lopez, Silvina Marianela, Troncozo, María Inés, Saparrat, Mario Carlos Nazareno, Balatti, Pedro Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2017
• Subjects: Melanins-stress-wall deposition-synthesis; Melanins-stress-wall deposition-synthesis
• ISSN: 0885-5765; 1096-1178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2017.04.004

Melanin is a secondary metabolite made up by complex heterogeneous polymers. Several classes of fungal melanins have been described like γ-glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxy-benzene (GDHB)-, l-DOPA-(eumelanin), DHN-, catechol-melanin, pyomelanin, p-aminophenol (PAP)-melanin, heterogeneous melanins as well as two others based on 5-deoxybostrycoidin and aspulvinone E. They have been mostly localized in cell walls of different structures of fungi, which suggest that they play a different biological role. They have been related mostly with morphogenesis, stress resistance, virulence and energy transduction. However, an enormous amount of work remains to be done to clarify, among other things, the role melanins play in fungi.
•We discuss were melanins are located in fungi and by doing this we inferred their possible role.•We also discuss the different type of melanines that are synthesized by different fungi.•We present the different known routes of synthesis.•We discuss the roles that are known they play in fungi.•We made based on the review prospects for the future.