Mycelial- to yeast-phase transitions of the dimorphic fungi Blastomyces dermatitidis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

The physiological changes that occur during the mycelial- to yeast-phase transitions induced by a temperature shift from 25 to 37 degrees C of cultures of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis can be divided into three stages. The triggering event is a heat-related insult induced by the temperature shift which results in partial uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and declines in cellular ATP levels, respiration rates, and concentrations of electron transport components (stage 1). The cells then enter a stage in which spontaneous respiration ceases (stage 2), and finally, there is a shift into a recovery phase during which transformation to yeast morphology occurs (stage 3). Cysteine is required during stage 2 for the operation of shunt pathways which permit electron transport to bypass blocked portions of the cytochrome system. The mycelial- to yeast-phase transitions of these two fungi are very similar to that of Histoplasma capsulatum. Therefore, these three dimorphic fungal pathogens have evolved parallel mechanisms to adjust to the temperature shifts which induce these mycelial- to yeast-phase transitions.