Melanin in cell walls of Basidiomycotina is derived
from phenolics precursors, as glutaminyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene
(GDHB) or catechol. However, in Cryptococcus
neoformans, a pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast, the type
of produced pigment depends on the chemical structure of
the exogenous substrate. This fungus is know to make
DOPA-melanin when o-diphenolic compounds, such as
3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, are present in the culture
medium (Chaskes and Tyndall 1975; Casadevall et al.
2000; Karkowska-Kuleta et al. 2009)