FORMATION OF FUNGAL MULTINUCLEAR GIANT CELLS BY TUNICAMYCINI

Abstract

In the presence of sublethal concentration of tunicamycin, conidia of fungi belonging to the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus could not germinate and changed to multinuclear giant cells of 10-100μm in diameter. Some of these giant cells could grow and divide. Number of nuclei per cell increased to over 50. When tunicamycin was added to the germinating conidia, the hyphal tips became swollen at first, and then the whole hyphae were swollen showing a "beaded appearance." After removal of tunicamycin, the giant cells germinated and converted to a mycelial form.