ISOLATION OF A PETITE MUTANT FROM A HISTIDINE AUXOTROPH OF CANDIDA-ALBICANS AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION

Respiration-deficient (petite) mutations have been induced in various yeasts, which are categorized as petite-positive. Candida albicans was classified among the petite-negative yeasts. Since then, a few report s have appeared, describing the isolation of petite mutants in C. albi cans. We report in the present study on the isolation of a petite muta nt of C. albicans-SAR1. This mutant was isolated from a histidine auxo troph of C albicans after mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine, thus our petite mutant carries a double mutation. SAR1 was characterized morphologically, biochemically and ultrastructurally. Th e results revealed differences from the wild type in respect to morpho logical, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Electron micro scopy showed that the cells of the petite mutant contain only very few mitochondria that looked 'thread like' without any cristae. The signi ficance of the mutation in the virulence of the mutant vs, that of the wild-type is being assessed.