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Review 2024

Melanin Synthesized by the Endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans AKW: A Multifaceted Biomolecule with Antioxidant, Wound Healing, and Selective Anti-Cancer Activity

Elattar KM; Ghoniem AA; Al-Askar AA; El-Gazzar UB; El-Hersh MS; Elsherbiny EA · Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry · DOI: 10.2174/0115680266300091240730111333 · PMID: 39161142
Research Archive
TL;DR — Key Findings
  • A. pullulans AKW synthesized 4.89 g/L melanin via a novel tyrosine-independent pathway in simple fermentation medium.
  • The melanin selectively triggered apoptosis in A431 skin cancer cells while showing minimal toxicity to normal cells.
  • Beyond anticancer effects, the melanin demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and wound-healing potential, confirming its multifaceted biomedical utility.

Abstract

This study explores the potential of the endophytic fungus Aureobasidium pullulans AKW for melanin production and its anticancer activity. A. pullulans AKW synthesized 4.89 g/l of melanin in a simple fermentation medium devoid of tyrosine. The isolated melanin exhibited promising selectivity as an anti-cancer agent. It triggered apoptosis in A431 cancer cells, demonstrating selectivity compared to normal cells. The melanin also showed strong antioxidant activity and wound healing potential, making it a multifaceted biomolecule for pharmaceutical applications.

Summary

Summary

Aureobasidium pullulans AKW produced 4.89 g/L melanin without tyrosine supplementation, suggesting a novel biosynthetic pathway. The purified melanin selectively induced apoptosis in A431 carcinoma cells while sparing normal cells, and additionally demonstrated antioxidant and wound-healing properties, positioning A. pullulans melanin as a multifunctional bioactive compound with broad pharmaceutical potential.

AI-generated summary for accessibility. Always refer to the original paper.

Keywords

melanin Aureobasidium pullulans anticancer antioxidant wound healing apoptosis

Citation

Elattar KM; Ghoniem AA; Al-Askar AA; El-Gazzar UB; El-Hersh MS; Elsherbiny EA. Melanin Synthesized by the Endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans AKW: A Multifaceted Biomolecule with Antioxidant, Wound Healing, and Selective Anti-Cancer Activity. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 2024. DOI: 10.2174/0115680266300091240730111333. PMID: 39161142.

Study Details
Study Type
Review
Published
2024
Journal
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Authors
Elattar KM; Ghoniem AA; Al-Askar AA; El-Gazzar UB; El-Hersh MS; Elsherbiny EA
PubMed ID
39161142
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