Use of chitin:DNA ratio to assess growth form in fungal cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dimorphism, the ability to switch between a 'yeast-like' and a hyphal growth form, is an important feature of certain fungi, including important plant and human pathogens. The switch to hyphal growth is often associated with virulence, pathogenicity, biofilm formation and stress resistance. Thus, the ability to accurately and efficiently measure fungal growth form is key to research into these fungi, especially for discovery of potential drug targets. To date, fungal growth form has been assessed microscopically, a process that is both labour intensive and costly.

Results

Here, we unite quantification of the chitin in fungal cell walls and the DNA in nuclei to produce a methodology that allows fungal cell shape to be estimated by calculation of the ratio between c

SUBMITTER: Kovacs-Simon A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10795418 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature