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Protease Activity of Malassezia

The Malassezia genus of fungi was first identified in the late 19th century by French scientist Louis-Charles Malassez. These fungi typically inhabit the skin of animals and humans alike. Occasionally, however, they can be opportunistic pathogens, a disease-causing organism that takes advantage of a compromised immune system that is over-burdened due to other illnesses or age.

  1. Varieties of Malassezia

    • Currently there are 10 recognized species of Malassezia fungi in which M. furfur and M. sympodialis are recognized as the most probable to cause disease in humans. Often, the disease process involves proteases produced by the fungal organisms that can lead to the development of symptoms, including loss of pigmentation in the skin and the development of eczema.

    Proteases

    • Proteases are classified as a variety of enzymes that promote the breakdown of protein molecules into their constituent parts, called amino acids, through the process of hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is the addition of water molecules that break the chemical bonds holding the amino acids together and forming the 3D structures of proteins. With all proteins, their overall 3D structures are responsible for their function. If the structure is broken, then the protein will not be able to carry on whatever biological process it was intended to perform.

    Malassezia Furfur

    • A May 2005 article appearing in "Chembiochem" investigated a common fungal, or mycotic, infection in humans caused by Malassezia furfur, which is usually identified by pigment loss. This depigmentation can be persistent even after successfully treating the fungal infection with antimicrobials due to the proteatic conversion of trytophan, an amino acid, into several compounds called indole alkaloids that are assumed to be responsible for the pigmentation loss. In this study, researchers identified a protease called malassezin that is active in the development of pityriasis versicolor, the medical name for the fungal infection.

    Malassezia Sympodialis

    • Atopic eczema (AE) is a condition caused by the colonization of Malassezia sympodialis on the skin that leads to the development of reddened, watery patches, which then form crusts due to salt accumulation. The January 2011 issue of "Allergy" included a study on the relationship between mast cells in the skin, which contribute to the allergic reaction, and M. sympodialis. The study found that a protease was up-regulated in the disease process and caused an increase in histamine levels while impairing the regulation of proteins necessary for the recognition of fungal pathogens on the skin. The authors urged further research to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of M. sympodialis involved with the development of AE.

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