Biomaterial Database

Screening the keratinolytic activity of dermatophytes in vitro. 1991

K Wawrzkiewicz, and T Wolski, and J Lobarzewski

Institute of Infectious and Invasive Diseases, Agricultural Academy, Lublin, Poland.

Sixteen strains out of 12 species dermatophytes were examined in respect to their ability of utilizing keratin substrates as the only sources of C and N. The employed keratin substrates included a solubilized preparation of feather keratin (KS) and native keratin, guinea pig hair and chicken feathers. It has been shown that the preparation KS constitutes a convenient model for a preliminary estimation of fungal keratinolytic activity and it can be a source of information about the localization of these enzymes. It has been found that, among the 16 fungal strains, 13 strains synthesize mainly intracellular keratinases while 3 strains of T. verrucosum release enzymes mainly to the medium. Native keratin from hair and feathers was degraded only by some of the examined strains which, under the experimental conditions, developed characteristic spore forms. Keratin of guinea pigs hair was attacked only by the T. mentagrophytes strains, T. verrucosum and K. ajelloi, and only T. gallinae grew on native keratin from chicken feathers.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007633	Keratins	A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.	Cytokeratin,Keratin Associated Protein,Keratin,Keratin-Associated Proteins,alpha-Keratin,Associated Protein, Keratin,Keratin Associated Proteins,Protein, Keratin Associated,alpha Keratin
D008864	Microsporum	A mitosporic Oxygenales fungal genus causing various diseases of the skin and hair. The species Microsporum canis produces TINEA CAPITIS and tinea corporis, which usually are acquired from domestic cats and dogs. Teleomorphs includes Arthroderma (Nannizzia). (Alexopoulos et al., Introductory Mycology, 4th edition, p305)	Microsporon,Microsporons,Microsporums
D010447	Peptide Hydrolases	Hydrolases that specifically cleave the peptide bonds found in PROTEINS and PEPTIDES. Examples of sub-subclasses for this group include EXOPEPTIDASES and ENDOPEPTIDASES.	Peptidase,Peptidases,Peptide Hydrolase,Protease,Proteases,Proteinase,Proteinases,Proteolytic Enzyme,Proteolytic Enzymes,Esteroproteases,Enzyme, Proteolytic,Hydrolase, Peptide
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D003883	Arthrodermataceae	A family of ascomycetous fungi, order Onygenales, characterized by smooth ascospores. Genera in the family include Arthroderma, Keratinomyces, and Ctenomyces. Several well-known anamorphic forms are parasitic upon the skin.	Arthroderma,Ctenomyces,Dermatophytes,Keratinomyces,Cutaneous Fungi,Cutaneous Fungus,Dermatomyces,Nannizzia,Arthrodermas,Ctenomyce,Dermatomyce,Dermatophyte,Fungi, Cutaneous,Fungus, Cutaneous,Keratinomyce,Nannizzias
D005241	Feathers	Flat keratinous structures found on the skin surface of birds. Feathers are made partly of a hollow shaft fringed with barbs. They constitute the plumage.	Feather
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006197	Hair	A filament-like structure consisting of a shaft which projects to the surface of the SKIN from a root which is softer than the shaft and lodges in the cavity of a HAIR FOLLICLE. It is found on most surfaces of the body.	Fetal Hair,Hair, Fetal,Lanugo,Fetal Hairs,Hairs,Hairs, Fetal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man