Cryptococcus neoformans – New Science for Discovering Melanin Modifiers
R. Soundharya
Dr. JRK’s Research and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., No. 18 & 19 Perumal Koil Street, Kunrathur, Chennai -600069, India.
V. Aruna *
Dr. JRK’s Research and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., No. 18 & 19 Perumal Koil Street, Kunrathur, Chennai -600069, India.
G. V. Amruthavalli
Dr. JRK’s Research and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., No. 18 & 19 Perumal Koil Street, Kunrathur, Chennai -600069, India.
R. Gayathri
Dr. JRK’s Research and Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., No. 18 & 19 Perumal Koil Street, Kunrathur, Chennai -600069, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study was taken up to establish the effect of niacinamide on phenoloxidase lead melanogenesis and to prove the reliability of C. neoformans based screening methodology.
Methods: The organism was grown in the Minimal media in presence and absence of L- DOPA and Niacinamide and checked for its pigment producing ability at different time intervals.
Results: Niacinamide did not affect the pigmentation in Cryptococcus neoformans in the absence or presence of L-Dopa.
Conclusion: Cryptococcus neoformans as a biological tool for studying the mechanism of action of various melanin promoters/ inhibitors. The present study highlights the importance and usefulness of Cryptococcus neoformans based screening invention as it is cost effective rapid and ‘living cell model’.
Keywords: Vitamin B3, tyrosinase, hyperpigmentation, L-DOPA.