EFFECT OF GLUCOSE STARVATION ON GERM-TUBE PRODUCTION BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS

By incubating starved and unstarved yeast cells in synthetic media wit h a pH of 4.5 or 6.7 at 37-degrees-C the effect of a 3 hours' glucose starvation on germ-tube production by Candida albicans was evaluated. In addition the endocellular content of total carbohydrates, glycogen, trehalose and proteins after and before the starvation were dosed. Th e most interesting result was the overcoming of the pH-regulated dimor phism, thanks to the starvation treatment. Infact the starved cultures produced germ-tubes indifferently in neutral or acid media, whereas t he filamentation of the unstarved cultures was more copious in pH 6.7 medium. The endocellular content of trehalose and protein was unchange d, whereas total carbohydrates and glycogen showed a shortage after th e 3 hours' glucose starvation. The possible involvements of these meta bolic changes in the regulation of dimorphic transition are discussed.