OBSERVATION ON THE NUCLEIC-ACIDS IN THE CHLAMYDOSPORES OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS

The presence of red (RNA) and green (DNA) fluorescent material identif ying nucleic acids in the chlamydospores of Candida albicans has been well documented. Red fluorescence in chlamydospores is relatively diff used and ranges from small spots, observed in hyphal cells, to the ent ire protoplasmic content. Green fluorescence is rarely visible in thes e structures and, when present it can be observed next to the plasmale mma. The initial percentage values of the two curves related to the ce ll counts of red fluorescence of the suspensory cells and chlamydospor es showed remarkable differences between the two structures. About 54% of the chlamydospores showed red fluorescence compared to about 28% o f the suspensory cells. It seems from the results obtained in this stu dy that much RNA was produced and/or accumulated in the chlamydospores and suspensory cells, rather than in mycelium where red fluorescence was not observed. The results obtained sustain the hypothesis that a c hlamydospore should he considered a fully functional cell that is morp hologically and physiologically active and independent from mycelium.