S. Fabry et al., Inhibition of germ tube formation, filamentation and ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans treated with 6-amino-2-n-pentylthiobenzothiazole, FOL MICROB, 44(5), 1999, pp. 523-526
Three representative Candida albicans strains were selected out of 26 clini
cal isolates and strains from culture collections on the basis of their hig
h level of conversion to germ tubes and mycelial form at mycelium-promoting
culture conditions, and on their different sensitivity to 6-amino-2-n-pent
ylthiobenzothiazole (APB). When these strains were treated with APE at myce
lium-promoting culture conditions, a concentration-dependent decrease in th
e proportion of germ tubes and hyphae was observed, while the proportion of
the yeast form increased. When non-saponifiable lipids were extracted from
these cultures and analyzed, a concentration-dependent decrease in ergoste
rol and an increase in 4-methylated sterols was observed. However, the sens
itivity of sterol biosynthesis did not directly relate to the sensitivity o
f the morphological conversion, and was exhibited at higher concentrations
of APE. On the basis of these results it is suggested that the inhibition o
f germ tube formation and filamentation is not a consequence of inhibition
of ergosterol biosynthesis in APE-treated C. albicans.