EFFECT OF PICHIA-ANOMALA KILLER TOXIN ON CANDIDA-ALBICANS

The effect of a Pichia anomala killer toxin upon a Candida albicans-se nsitive strain was studied. Yeast and hyphae, after treatment with the toxin, were less capable of uptaking either [H-3]-uridine or [S-35]-m ethionine. In addition, the hyphal form of the fungus appeared to be l ess capable of DNA synthesis after toxin treatment. No effect of the k iller toxin was shown upon a natural resistant mutant of the source st rain. These data suggest that, similar to other killer yeast toxins, t he toxin of P. anomala can produce a number of quantifiable effects up on sensitive C. albicans cells.