Abnormal cell envelope ultrastructure of a Saccharomyces mutant with invertase formation resistant to hexoses.

The most obvious morphological characteristic of Saccharomyces mutant FH4C cells is the tendency to form clumps (production of invertase and alpha-glucosidase by this mutant is highly resistant to repression by hexoses). This peculiar feature arises from the abnormal cell envelope ultrastructure of the mutant. Clumps are formed as a result of the failure of the cell wall of the bud to separate from that of the mother cell. The cell wall also shows irregular thickening. There are many cells with a doughnut shape and with small budlike protrusions. Abnormal septation and wall invagination into vacuoles give rise to cells of differing sizes and irregular profiles. Many vesicles, tubules, and coiled membranous bodies originate from invaginations of the plasmalemma. These structures are frequently observed in the cell wall or the periplasmic space. The cells of mutant FH4C growing in 0.2 M glucose, unlike parent strain 303-67, contain many mitochondria. Large numbers of glycogen deposits are also found in many cells of FH4C.