The effect of cholesterol and polyene antibiotics on the permeability of the protoplasmic membrane of Pythium PRL 2142

Abstract

Intracellular constituents of Pythium PRL 2142 leak from the mycelium when it is placed in distilled water. The effect of cholesterol association with the protoplasmic membrane of this fungus is to decrease leakage of nucleotide, nitrogen, and protein constituents of the mycelium but leakage of carbohydrate is significantly increased.The polyene antibiotics, amphotericin B, nystatin, candidin, and candicidin, whilst ineffective on mycelium grown in the absence of sterol, increase leakage of these intracellular components from sterol-grown mycelium, particularly the carbohydrate and protein components, but do not cause lysis of the organism.