Endosymbiotic Archaea and Melanin Deficiency Syndrome

The endosymbiotic archaea affects the neutral amino acid transporter upregulating tryptophan transport and downregulating tyrosine transport. The downregulation of tyrosine transport results in reduced melanin synthesis. Melanin is synthesized from dopamine and homogentisic acid generated by tyrosine catabolism. Melanin is synthesized from tyrosine. Melanin is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Melanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine is followed by polymerization. The melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. Lack of melanin can due to increased free radical generation. This can lead to increased incidence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, CAD, stroke, neurodegenerations, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autoimmune disease and cancer.