Biology:Malassezia globosa
| Malassezia globosa | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Malasseziomycetes |
| Order: | Malasseziales |
| Family: | Malasseziaceae |
| Genus: | Malassezia |
| Species: | M. globosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Malassezia globosa Midgley, E.Guého & J.Guillot
| |
Malassezia globosa is a species of yeast-like fungus.[1]
Cause of dandruff and dermatitis
In 2007, it was discovered that the responsible agent is a scalp specific fungus, Malassezia globosa (previously thought to be Malassezia furfur), that metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase, resulting in a lipid byproduct: oleic acid.[2]
Identification of Malassezia on skin has been aided by the application of molecular or DNA-based techniques. These investigations show that the Malassezia species causing most skin disease in humans, including the most common cause of dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, is M. globosa (though M. restricta is also involved).[1] The skin rash of tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) is also due to infection by this fungus.
As the fungus requires fat to grow,[3] it is most common in areas with many sebaceous glands: on the scalp,[4] face, and upper part of the body. When the fungus grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed, and dandruff appears with itching (a similar process may also occur with other fungi or bacteria).
A project in 2007 has sequenced the genome of dandruff-causing Malassezia globosa and found it to have 4,285 genes.[5][6] M. globosa uses eight different types of lipase, along with three phospholipases, to break down the oils on the scalp. Any of these 11 proteins would be a suitable target for dandruff medications.
The number of specimens of M. globosa on a human head can be up to ten million.[4]
Malassezia globosa has been predicted to have the ability to reproduce sexually,[7] but this has not been observed.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Isolation and expression of a Malassezia globosa lipase gene, LIP1". J. Invest. Dermatol. 127 (9): 2138–46. September 2007. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700844. PMID 17460728.
- ↑ "Genetic code of dandruff cracked". BBC News. 6 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7080434.stm.
- ↑ "The genus Malassezia with description of four new species". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 69 (4): 337–355. May 1996. doi:10.1007/BF00399623. PMID 8836432.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Genetic code of dandruff cracked". BBC News (BBC). 6 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7080434.stm.
- ↑ "Dandruff-associated Malassezia genomes reveal convergent and divergent virulence traits shared with plant and human fungal pathogens". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 104 (47): 18730–5. November 2007. doi:10.1073/pnas.0706756104. PMID 18000048. Bibcode: 2007PNAS..10418730X.
- ↑ "Scientists Complete Genome Sequence Of Fungus Responsible For Dandruff, Skin Disorders" (in en). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106101200.htm.
- ↑ "The genus Malassezia: old facts and new concepts". Parassitologia 50 (1–2): 77–9. June 2008. PMID 18693563.
Wikidata ☰ Q10575741 entry
 |  |
