In vitro degradation of equine keratin by dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi.
Abstract: Keratinolytic properties of two dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) and three moulds (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria alternata, Geotrichum candidum) isolated from diseased equine hooves were examined to improve the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms leading to equine onychomycosis. Equine hoof horn material and skin, as well as hoof keratin and dermal keratin extracted from corresponding tissues, were used as sole carbon and nitrogen sources in five test tubes for each fungus. Within 18 days, supernatants of all tubes were repeatedly examined for keratinolytic activity by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. In addition, fungal growth rates were determined to identify the preferred tissue of the individual fungi. Among the fungi examined, M. gypseum was the most keratinolytic species, followed by T. mentagrophytes and S. brevicaulis. In the concentration applied, the moulds A. alternata and G. candidum showed minimal keratinolytic activity. With respect to growth rates, M. gypseum favoured hoof horn material, S. brevicaulis and G. candidum preferred skin as a keratin source, whereas for the other two fungi no clear preference was detectable.
Publication Date: 2005-12-27 PubMed ID: 16377103DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.060Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the ability of two types of fungi and three types of moulds to break down keratin in horse hooves, to better understand conditions like equine onychomycosis. The study found that one type of fungus, the Microsporum gypseum, demonstrated the most significant ability to break down keratin.
Research Methodology
- The researchers studied the keratinolytic (keratin-breaking) properties of two types of fungi (Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes), and three kinds of mould (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria alternata, and Geotrichum candidum).
- These organisms were isolated from diseased horse hooves. The researchers were interested in understanding the mechanisms by which these fungi and moulds contribute to equine onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the horse’s hoof.
- Equine hoof horn material and skin, as well as hoof keratin and dermal keratin extracted from the corresponding tissues, were used as sole carbon and nitrogen sources in five test tubes.
Research Findings
- Over the course of 18 days, the supernatants (the liquid layer above the solid residue) of all tubes were repeatedly inspected for keratinolytic activity. This was done using the SDS-PAGE method (a type of protein analysis) and Western blot analysis (a technique used to detect specific proteins).
- The researchers also identified the growth rate of the fungi to offer insight into their preferred source of carbon and nitrogen.
- The results suggested that M. gypseum was the most keratinolytic species, followed by T. mentagrophytes and S. brevicaulis.
- In the concentration applied, the moulds A. alternata and G. candidum showed minimal keratinolytic activity.
- Regarding growth rates, M. gypseum favoured hoof horn material, S. brevicaulis, and G. candidum preferred skin as a keratin source, while the other two fungi showed no clear preference.
Significance of the Study
- The study provides valuable insights into the properties of various fungi and moulds, and how they interact with keratin – a key component of hooves and skin in equines.
- This study could aid in understanding the pathogenesis of equine onychomycosis and potentially highlight beneficial treatments against these fungi.
Cite This Article
APA
Apprich V, Spergser J, Rosengarten R, Stanek C.
(2005).
In vitro degradation of equine keratin by dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi.
Vet Microbiol, 114(3-4), 352-358.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.060 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic of Orthopaedics in Ungulates, Clinical Department of Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Wien, Vienna, Austria. Veronika.Apprich@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthrodermataceae / classification
- Arthrodermataceae / growth & development
- Arthrodermataceae / metabolism
- Blotting, Western / veterinary
- Dermatomycoses / microbiology
- Dermatomycoses / veterinary
- Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / veterinary
- Foot Diseases / microbiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / microbiology
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Keratinocytes / metabolism
- Keratinocytes / microbiology
- Keratins / metabolism
- Species Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Vermelho AB, Mazotto AM, de Melo AC, Vieira FH, Duarte TR, Macrae A, Nishikawa MM, da Silva Bon EP. Identification of a Candida parapsilosis strain producing extracellular serine peptidase with keratinolytic activity. Mycopathologia 2010 Jan;169(1):57-65.
- Murugesan AG, Sathesh Prabu C, Selvakumar C. Biolarvicidal activity of extracellular metabolites of the keratinophilic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes against larvae of Aedes aegypti - a major vector for chikungunya and dengue. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2009;54(3):213-6.
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