Freeze-fracture studies of the plasmalemma of Candida albicans after treatment with econazole-nitrate.
In electron microscopic studies the interior of the plasmalemma of Candida albicans was revealed by means of the freeze-fracture technique. The superficial structures of the extracellular (E) and protoplasmic (P) fracture faces differed negligibly from structures on the corresponding fracture faces of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Following treatment with 2.2 x 10(-5) M econazole nitrate a layer, present on the P face in the form of a tight matrix of globular proteins, dissolved into isolated groups of particles whose globular elements sometimes formed hexagonal patterns. As the damage progressed, fissure-shaped membrane invaginations on the P face disappeared. Parts of the outer lipid layer of the plasmalemma were torn off the cell wall and adhered in fragments to the P face. The ultrastructural changes in the plasmalemma induced by econazole nitrate temporally correlate with an increase in the permeability of the cell envelope found in physiological studies performed by other authors.
D002176:Candida albicans / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D004464:Econazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007093:Imidazoles; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D004464:Econazole