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Subtilisin 6 From the Dermatophyte Trichophyton benhamiae Is a Marker of Infection but Not a Unique Virulence Factor

Wilfried Poirier1, Émilie Faway2, Tsuyoshi Yamada3,4

  • 1Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Mycoses
|February 21, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Trichophyton benhamiae subtilisin 6 (SUB6) does not appear to be a significant virulence factor in mouse skin infections. Its gene expression may serve as a marker for fungal infections rather than directly causing disease.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Dermatophyte Pathogenesis
  • Fungal Genetics

Background:

  • Trichophyton benhamiae is a dermatophyte causing inflammatory skin lesions in humans.
  • The subtilisin 6 (SUB6) gene is overexpressed in vivo and considered a potential virulence factor.
  • The precise role of SUB6 in T. benhamiae pathogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the contribution of T. benhamiae SUB6 to fungal virulence.
  • To assess SUB6's role in a mouse model of skin infection.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of SUB6-deleted (ΔSUB6) and complemented strains of T. benhamiae.
  • Comparison of the pathogenicity of wild-type, ΔSUB6, and complemented strains in a mouse skin infection model.
  • Analysis of skin symptoms, histopathology, and gene expression of host and fungal genes.

Main Results:

  • The ΔSUB6 strain induced skin lesions and inflammation comparable to the parental strain.
  • No significant differences in virulence were observed between the wild-type and ΔSUB6 strains.
  • Overexpression of other subtilisin genes (SUB1, SUB3, SUB8, SUB10) occurred without compensatory mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • SUB6 is unlikely to be a major virulence factor in T. benhamiae skin infections when acting alone.
  • SUB6 may function as a marker for fungal infection rather than a direct contributor to pathogenesis.
Keywords:
Trichophyton benhamiaedermatophytosisfungal markerinfection modelsubtilisin 6

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