title: Opaque-white phenotype transition: a programmed morphological transition in Candida albicans.
abstract: This paper reports that the opaque and white phenotypes of Candida albicans constitute a true high-frequency reversible transition system. The rDNA restriction fragment and orthogonal field alternating gel electrophoresis profiles of opaque and white phenotypes are indistinguishable, and a genetic marker introduced into a white strain is present in all opaque derivatives of this strain. Opaque and white derivatives appear markedly different on a bismuth indicator medium and differ in a number of other respects. We have used bismuth medium to examine the spontaneous and temperature-induced frequencies of transition from opaque to white. The temperature-induced transition from opaque to white does not occur when opaque cells are held in water.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1101.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Rikkerink
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D003470:Culture Media; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007621:Karyotyping; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005819:Genetic Markers; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes