Candida glabrata produces a melanin-like pigment that protects against stress conditions encountered during parasitism

Melanin has been linked to pathogenesis in several fungi. They often produce melanin-like pigments in the presence of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), but this is poorly studied in . was grown in minimal medium with or without L-DOPA supplementation and submitted to a chemical treatment with denaturant and hot acid. turned black when grown in the presence of L-DOPA, whereas cells grown without L-DOPA supplementation remained white. Biophysical properties demonstrated that the pigment was melanin. Melanized cells were effectively protected from azoles and amphotericin B, incubation at 42°C and macrophage killing. In the presence of L-DOPA, produces melanin, increases antifungal resistance and enhances host survival.