Malassezia globosa

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Classification

Kingdom: Fungi

Subkingdom: Dikarya

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Subphylum: Ustilaginomycotina

Class: Hymenomycetes

Order: Tremellales

Family: Malasseziaceae

Genus: Malassezia

Species: Malassezia globosa

Description and Significance

M. globosa is a unicellular fungus species. It has the typical spherical shape associated with yeast spores. The spores are typically around 2 micrometers in diameter. The species naturally exhibits a cream/yellow color and a venose and furrowed appearance. A colony of M. globosa typically has a butyrous texture. In addition, this microbial species exhibits monopolar and sympodial budding. It is most known for causing dandruff in humans.

Genome

M. globosa’s genome contains 4,286 genes. Its total genome size is 8.9 Mb, which is relatively small for a free-living fungus. It has 6,377 exons and 2,092 introns. There are approximately 6.2 Mbp of nucleotides in the exons. This genome also includes mating genes, indicating the possibility of sexual reproduction for the species. Interestingly, the genome does not encode the enzyme fatty acid synthase, even though the organisms is dependent upon lipids for growth and survival. However, it does encode secreted lipase to break down external lipids. It also encodes the necessary enzymes for glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the synthesis of the typical amino acid and nucleic acid “building blocks.”

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Ecology and Known Roles in Symbiosis

Fun Facts

References

Author

Nikki Sullivan