Temperature regulation of the cryptococcal phenoloxidase

Abstract
Melanin formation at 37 degrees C has been proposed as a virulence factor in Cryptococcus neoformans. However, whereas catecholamine uptake is maintained at this temperature, phenoloxidase, which catalyses the oxidation of catecholamine to melanin, is severely decreased in most wild type strains cultivated at 37 degrees C.