An electron microscopy study of wall expansion during Candida albicans yeast and mycelial growth using concanavalin A-ferritin labelling of mannoproteins.

Depending upon growth temperature, Candida albicans can exhibit two different morphologies, a budding yeast or a mycelium. By studying the distribution of concanavalin A-ferritin particles on the cell wall surface during bud and germ tube formation, we have elucidated the way cell wall extension occurs. Both processes initially require the localized lysis of the wall in order to allow the incorporation of the newly synthesized material. Later on, the cell wall behaves as an elastic structure, allowing extension by an intussusception process and, as a consequence, cell growth.