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 myc..