Melanin is secreted by the bacteria extracellular. It was reported than melanin is a protective candidate for bacteria. Then why should they secrete it. As maintaining itself inside can impart higher protection.Its not a Joke. Please think of it. Think we are not secreting our melanin outside.
Hi Noble, in addition to Ali, I would like to say that of course it is not a joke. But melanin can be secreted for some functions. Mammalian melanocytes secreted melanosomes to surrounding keratinocytes in the skin or to the medium when they grow in culture. Yeast secreted melanin to protect cell wall. Melanin can also be secreted wth cytotoxic ROS or metal ions are bound to the polymer. Melanin is a double-edge sword, sometimes protecting, sometimes dangerous,
Actually, the problem is complicated: first of all, Bacteria do not secrete melanin, but its precursors and enzymes (tyrosinase, but also others, btw. thanks one of my Predecessors for up-loading my paper ;). And secondly: in general, to stabilize their environment. The phenomenon mostly concerns the soil microorganisms. So the question posessess a "meta-metabolomic" (by analogy to metagenomics ;) character.
The metabolic effort of bacteria (e.g. some Streptomyces sp.) is huge, including the loss of copper along with tyrosinase. So, the adaptativeness must be strong!
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