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Extracellular protease expression in Microsporum gypseum complex, its regulation and keratinolytic potential

C J Singh1

  • 1Department of Botany, Shri Chitragupta PG College, Mainpuri, India. singhcj1@rediffmail.com

Mycoses
|October 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated Microsporum gypseum protease and keratinase production. Glucose-lacking conditions enhanced keratin degradation, highlighting optimal enzyme activity for dermatophyte research.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Enzymology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Microsporum gypseum is a dermatophyte known to degrade keratin.
  • Extracellular proteases and keratinases are key enzymes involved in dermatophyte pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the factors influencing enzyme production is crucial for antifungal research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the production of extracellular proteases and keratinases by two soil isolates of Microsporum gypseum.
  • To determine the effects of culture conditions, carbohydrates, and amino acids on enzyme yield.
  • To assess the correlation between enzyme activity and keratin degradation capacity.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing Microsporum gypseum isolates on glucose-gelatin medium.
  • Measuring protease and keratinase activity over 15 days at 28°C.
  • Assessing keratin degradation using skin bait and gravimetric analysis.
  • Analyzing the impact of asparagine and various carbohydrates on enzyme production.

Main Results:

  • Both isolates produced extracellular proteases, with peak activity on day 15 at 28°C.
  • Asparagine repressed protease yield, and sugars induced catabolite repression.
  • Significant variations in keratin degradation were observed between isolates, despite similar keratinase levels.
  • Keratinase production and substrate mass loss were higher in glucose-lacking media.
  • Positive correlations were found between substrate mass loss, dry mycelial weight, and keratin degradation with keratinase levels.

Conclusions:

  • Protease and keratinase production by Microsporum gypseum are influenced by nutritional factors and incubation conditions.
  • Absence of glucose favors enhanced keratin degradation, suggesting specific metabolic pathways.
  • Variations in keratinolytic activity among isolates warrant further investigation for understanding dermatophytosis.
  • The study provides insights into optimizing enzyme production for potential biotechnological or therapeutic applications.

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