Keywords
Malassezia; Lipid dependent; Mycobiota; Pathophysiology; Metabolism
Abstract
Malassezia species are part of the normal mycobiota of skin of animals and humans but they can cause skin and blood stream infections as well. These yeasts are all lipid dependent explained by the absence of fatty acid synthase genes in their genome. At the same time, metabolic reconstruction revealed differences in the metabolism of fungal steroids and degradation of CoA-activated long-chain FAs, arachidonic acid, and butanoate metabolism between Malassezia yeasts. In addition, differences in the assimilation of palmitic acid were predicted. Indeed, M. furfur was able to metabolize palmitic acid but M. globosa, M. sympodialis, M. pachydermatis, and an atypical variant of M. furfur were not able to do so. Tools to genetically modify Malassezia have become available recently, which will speed up the process to decipher mechanisms underlying growth and pathogenicity of these yeasts. Here, we will provide an overview about the genus Malassezia and make an assessments to the new insights in this yeast.
Citation
Celis AM, Wösten HAB, Triana S, Restrepo S and de Cock H. Malassezia spp. beyond The Mycobiota. SM Dermatolog J. 2017; 3(3):1019.