中文摘要：

黑色素的合成是生物界从细菌到人类都普遍存在的现象。黑色素在生物体中具有抗紫外辐射、清除自由基等功能,对于生物的生长发育虽非必需,却能极大提高生物体的生存竞争能力。此外,黑色素合成途径中的关键酶类如酪氨酸酶能代谢不少酚类物质, 在化工等领域具有实际应用价值。本文重点从细菌黑色素的种类、生物合成途径、黑色素的生物学功能方面进行阐述。

英文摘要：

Production of melanin has been described in a variety of life forms ranging from bacteria to human. Though melanin is not essential to the growth of organisms, it can help to improve their competitive abilities through confering organisms diverse functions such as resistance to UV radiation and toxic free radicals elimination. Nowadays, research on enzymes essential for the formation of melanin has attracted more attentions because they can metabolize dozens of phenol compounds. It made these enzymes, like tyrosinase, a significant value in biotechnology application. This review summarizes the present knowledge of melanin categories, biosynthetic pathways and physiological functions.