Short Sequence Repeats of the Intergenic Spacer Regions of Ribosomal RNA Genes in Malassezia Globosa and M. Restricta Colonizing the Scalps of Male Individuals With and Without Androgenetic Alopecia

    April 2022 in “ Microbiology and Immunology ”
    Kazuhiro Suzuki, Otomi Cho, Tohru Nagahama, Takashi Sugita
    Studysummary This study suggests that a specific short sequence repeat in Malassezia restricta may be linked to increased colonization and the development or exacerbation of androgenetic alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    The study investigated the short sequence repeats (SSRs) in the intergenic spacer (IGS) region 1 of ribosomal RNA genes in Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta, which are common on the scalps of individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The researchers found no AGA-specific SSRs in the M. globosa IGS region. However, a specific SSR, (CT)6:(AT)8, was predominantly detected in the M. restricta IGS region among the AGA group. Additionally, higher colonization of Malassezia was observed on the scalps of patients with the M. restricta (CT)6:(AT)8 SSRs compared to those without. These findings suggest that this specific SSR type in M. restricta may play a role in the development or worsening of AGA.
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