How Does Malassezia Adapt to Life on Human Skin?
Genomics of Malassezia Delineates and Niche Adaptation on Human
BACKGROUND
Malassezia are typically isolated from warm-blooded animals, are dominant on human skin, and are associated with common skin disorders. There role in skin disease is not well understood. The genetic basis of the unique lipophilic nature of Malassezia is thus an important question that could also serve as the basis for developing new anti-fungals.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the genetic basis of the adaptation of Malassezia to the human skin, the genomes of all 14 accepted species were sequenced and used comparative genomics to comprehensively identify distinct features that define the Malassezia gene repertoire.
METHOD
The study sequenced the genomes of all 14 accepted Malassezia species and used comparative genomics to identify distinct features defining the Malassezia gene repertoire. The analysis included key gene gain events unique to Malassezia and a larger screen for glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate metabolism. Genomic analysis was combined with a re-evaluation of lipid-dependence of all Malassezia. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to shed light on the relationship between members of Ustilaginomycotina and phylogenetic lineages within the genus.
RESULTS
The study revealed key gene gain events unique to Malassezia, likely resulting from horizontal gene transfer. Extensive turnover was found in the glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate metabolism gene families and the importance of secreted lipase, proteases, and other peptidases was underlined. The phylogenetic analysis sheds light on the relationship between members of Ustilaginomycotina and phylogenetic lineages within the genus.
CONCLUSION
This study serves to identify genomic features unique to Malassezia and its lineages, which could then be associated with their role in common skin disorders. Several of the genes identified in this study have the potential to be further explored and studied experimentally. The study provides a resource for understanding Malassezia niche-specificity and potential virulence on human skin.
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
NR are employed by Procter & Gamble, who sells anti-dandruff shampoo. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The studies in the NN lab were supported by grants from the Agency for Science Singapore.