Biomaterial Database

Phenotypic variation of a virulent Candida albicans strain and two spontaneous, relatively avirulent mutant strain derivatives. 1991

M J Malavasic, and G E Mcelhaney-Feser, and S B Southard, and R L Cihlar

Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007.

The effect of media and temperature of incubation on colony phenotype of Candida albicans strain 4918, and two relatively avirulent mutant strains, designated 4918-2 and 4918-10, has been investigated. In addition, the strains were characterized on the basis of morphotyping pattern. Colony phenotypes were determined for cultures grown on either Lee's medium supplemented with arginine and zinc, or M63 medium supplemented with casamino acids. Incubation was at either 24 or 37 degrees C for 7 days. The results demonstrated that the predominant colony phenotype observed at 24 degrees C was different from that at 37 degrees C for all three strains, irrespective of the medium. While the growth medium influenced the specific colony phenotypes observed, as well as their categorical distribution, no significant medium effect on switching frequency was apparent. The switching repertoire of strain 4918-10 was consistently more varied than either the parental strain or 4918-2 under the conditions examined. However, categorization of the colony phenotypes shown by the three strains suggested that the pattern exhibited by strain 4918-2 was distinct from that of the other two strains. In addition, individual primary colonies of each phenotype observed were clonally plated in order to examine further the switching frequencies. The results established that all three strains were capable of high frequency switching. Other experiments demonstrated that morphotypes of all three strains were different from one another as expected from the differences in their virulence reported previously.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010641	Phenotype	The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment.	Phenotypes
D002176	Candida albicans	A unicellular budding fungus which is the principal pathogenic species causing CANDIDIASIS (moniliasis).	Candida albicans var. stellatoidea,Candida stellatoidea,Dematium albicans,Monilia albicans,Myceloblastanon albicans,Mycotorula albicans,Parasaccharomyces albicans,Procandida albicans,Procandida stellatoidea,Saccharomyces albicans,Syringospora albicans
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D004271	DNA, Fungal	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of fungi.	Fungal DNA
D005800	Genes, Fungal	The functional hereditary units of FUNGI.	Fungal Genes,Fungal Gene,Gene, Fungal
D000596	Amino Acids	Organic compounds that generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group. Twenty alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins.	Amino Acid,Acid, Amino,Acids, Amino
D001120	Arginine	An essential amino acid that is physiologically active in the L-form.	Arginine Hydrochloride,Arginine, L-Isomer,DL-Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,L-Arginine,Arginine, L Isomer,DL Arginine Acetate, Monohydrate,Hydrochloride, Arginine,L Arginine,L-Isomer Arginine,Monohydrate DL-Arginine Acetate
D013696	Temperature	The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms.	Temperatures
D014774	Virulence	The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. The pathogenic capacity of an organism is determined by its VIRULENCE FACTORS.	Pathogenicity
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.