HGT in the human and skin commensal <i>Malassezia</i> : A bacterially derived flavohemoglobin is required for NO resistance and host interaction

Abstract

Significance Malassezia species are the main fungal components of the mammalian skin microbiome and are associated with a number of skin disorders. Recently, Malassezia has also been found in association with Crohn’s disease and with pancreatic cancer. The elucidation of the molecular bases of skin adaptation by Malassezia is critical to understand its role as commensal and pathogen. In this study we employed evolutionary, molecular, biochemical, and structural analyses to demonstrate that the bacterially derived flavohemoglobins acquired by Malassezia through horizontal gene transfer resulted in a gain of function critical for nitric oxide detoxification and resistance to nitrosative stress. Our study underscores horizontal gene transfer as an important force modulating Malassezia evolution and niche adaptation.