Approaches for Genetic Discoveries in the Skin Commensal and Pathogenic Malassezia Yeasts

Abstract

Malassezia includes yeasts belong to the subphylum Ustilaginomycotina within the Basidiomycota. Malassezia yeasts are commonly found as commensals on human and animal skin. Nevertheless, Malassezia species are also associated with several skin disorders, such as dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis, atopic eczema, pityriasis versicolor, and folliculitis. More recently, associations of Malassezia with Crohn's disease, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation have been reported. The increasing availability of genomic and molecular tools have played a crucial role in understanding the genetic basis of Malassezia commensalism and pathogenicity. In the present review we report genomics advances in Malassezia highlighting unique features that potentially impacted Malassezia biology and host adaptation. Furthermore, we describe the recently developed protocols for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation in Malassezia, and their applications for random insertional mutagenesis or targeted gene replacement strategies.

Genome of Malassezia arunalokei and Its Distribution on Facial Skin

“…Previous phylogenetic analysis conducted by Honnavar et al as well as other previous analyses using D1/D2 domains of large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences showed that M. globosa , M. restricta , and M. arunalokei are closely clustered within the same clade in the phylograms ( 1 , 2 , 9 ), and our result was in accordance with these findings. However, we also observed two distinct subspecies groups in the M. restricta species ( M. restricta CBS 8741 and KCTC 27527 versus M. restricta CBS 7877) in the phylogram we generated.…”

Skin microbiome alterations in seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: A systematic review

“…have been isolated from mammals' skin. 22 Conventional culture-based studies showed that M. globosa and M. restricta were the predominant species in SD patients. 23 Disequilibrium in the ratio of M. restricta/M.…”

Cutaneous Malassezia: Commensal, Pathogen, or Protector?

“…A series of horizontal gene transfers have been defined and further cloud the phylogeny ( Ianiri et al., 2020 ). For example, another recent LSU tree, while very similar implies different grouping and relationships ( Ianiri and Heitman, 2020 ). These findings highlight that while much has been learned about Malassezia phylogeny there is still a long way to go to understanding this unusual clade.…”

“…Historically, Malassezia genetic engineering has been extremely challenging. However, it has now been accomplished via agrobacterium-mediated transformation ( Ianiri et al., 2016 ; Celis et al., 2017 ; Ianiri and Heitman, 2020 ). For example, gene deletion of a bacterially derived flavohemoglobin gene found in all Malassezia spp.…”