Differentially expressed genes associated with tryptophan-dependent pigment synthesis in Malassezia furfur- a comparison with the recently published genome of Malassezia globosa

Abstract

Malassezia (M.) furfur, a commensal organism found on the human skin, produces a wide range of pigments and fluorochromes when cultured with tryptophan as a sole nitrogen source. Some compounds of this pigment metabolism may provide an explanation for clinical characteristics of pityriasis versicolor (PV), a frequent skin disease in humans characterised by long-lasting pigmentary changes. Malassezia globosa is currently regarded as the causative agent of PV, but tryptophan-dependent pigment production has not yet been demonstrated in this species. In a previous study, we identified M. furfur genes that were differentially expressed 3 and 5 h, respectively, after induction of tryptophan-dependent pigment production. The recent publication of the genome of M. globosa prompted us to check the M. furfur sequences for homologues in M. globosa. The 3-h pool contained 79 sequences and the 5-h pool contained 91 sequences. A translated vs. translated BLAST search resulted in 62 sequences (78%) of the 3-h pool and 61 sequences (67%) of the 5-h pool showing similarity to a sequence from M. globosa. It appears that M. globosa possesses homologues to most of the genes that are differentially expressed during pigment production in M. furfur.

Caracterización fenotípica de aislamientos de Malassezia spp., de origen canino

“…Data in this study corroborate results described by Lang et al (30). Colonies cultured in this media formed dark colonies with diffusible brown pigment after 10 -12 days of incubation.…”

Characterization of tryptophan aminotransferase 1 of Malassezia furfur, the key enzyme in the production of indolic compounds by M. furfur

“…In a following study, a gene of M. furfur encoding a homologous enzyme (MfTam1) was identified to be upregulated, when pigment production was induced . Comparison with the published genome of M. globosa showed that the gene is also present in this species (MGL_2601, ) . Based on this initial sequence information, we were able to clone the gene from M. furfur ; Mftam1 could be produced in recombinant form and used for further analyses.…”

“…The role of MgTam1 in PV should be addressed in future studies as soon as the recombinant enzyme and improved culture conditions for M. globosa become available. For CS and AOA, we also expect inhibition of MgTam1, as the sequence is similar to the one of M. furfur (86% similarity, 64% identity) and the inhibitors target PLP‐dependent enzymes.…”

“…However, additional – so far unidentified – factors than just occurrence of the fungi are necessary to induce PV . So far, it was not possible to induce pigment production for M. globosa in vitro ; however, M. furfur produces pigments when tryptophan is present in the culture . Therefore, we aimed to study the pathogenesis of PV in more detail by characterizing the role of Tam1 of M. furfur in PV‐associated phenomena.…”

“…Ustilago maydis also presents a hypothetical Tam2, which, however, has a minor influence on pigment formation . Furthermore, we showed that Tam1 of M. furfur (MfTam1) is differentially expressed under pigment‐producing and non‐producing conditions . Due to a lack of M. furfur genomic information, MfTam1 has not been available for research on PV so far.…”