Morphological studies of N-acetylglucosamine induced germ tube formation by Candida albicans

Abstract

In N-acetylglucosamine induced germ tube formation by Candida albicans, multiple (up to five) protuberances appeared within 90 min at 37 °C on each yeast cell. The protuberances were extensions of the cytosol and contained vesiclelike structures. Usually only one protuberance subsequently developed into a germ tube. The germ tubes emanated from all aspects of the cell surface but seldom from the budding (long axis) poles. Pseudohyphae, which originated from the budding pole, exhibited a marked constriction at the site of emergence and were 0.6–2.5 μm in diameter compared with a diameter of 0.6–0.8 μm for germ tubes. The presence of septa confirmed that germ tubes are precursors of septate mycelia. Ultrathin-section transmission electron microscopy of aldehyde plus osmium fixed cells revealed electron-lucent walls with a thin electron-dense outer layer. A fibrillar border was also routinely associated with germ tubes. Poststaining with potassium permanganate revealed, in addition, a previously invisible fuzzy layer on the outer region of the cell wall which extended over bud scars and germ tubes and which coalesced at sites of contact between cells.