Microtubules and actin cytoskeleton of potentially pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast as targets for antifungals.
BACKGROUND
The cytoskeleton was investigated as a potential target for the inhibition of cell division in Fellomyces fuzhouensis CBS 8243 related to Cryptococcus neoformans.


METHODS
Vincristine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, methyl benzimidazole-2-yl carbamate (BCM), thiabendazole, cytochalasins A, B and D and latrunculin A were added to yeast extract peptone dextrose medium containing cells, investigated by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, counted in a Burker chamber and absorbance was measured.


RESULTS
Vincristine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, cytochalasins A, B and D transiently blocked proliferation. BCM disrupted microtubules and inhibited mitosis, but F-actin patches and cables persisted and neck-less conidia appeared without stalks. Latrunculin disrupted F-actin, cells became spherical, and stalks and necks degenerated; microtubules persisted, but mitosis, cytokinesis and conidiogenesis were blocked. The combined application of latrunculin and BCM disrupted F-actin and microtubules, and inhibited cells became spherical and did not divide.


CONCLUSIONS
Microtubules and F-actin are effective targets for permanent inhibition of nuclear and cell division and conidiogenesis by BCM and latrunculin A.
Kopecká
Marie
M
Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. mkopecka@med.muni.cz
Gabriel
Miroslav
M
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D003572:Cytochalasins / Q000494:pharmacology; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000187:drug effects; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D013827:Thiabendazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D053778:Thiazolidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014750:Vincristine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D003572:Cytochalasins; D053778:Thiazolidines; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D013827:Thiabendazole; D017239:Paclitaxel; C037067:latrunculin A