Scanning electron microscopic study on the effect of tunicamycin on Candida albicans

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the effect of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation, on the morphology of Candida albicans grown in minimal essential medium Earle's base and supplemented with 0.5% N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to stimulate germ tube induction. Addition of the drug prevented development of germ tubes, development of mycelia from germ tubes and resumption of germ tube growth after drug removal. Inhibited cells increased in size during treatment and subsequently became misshapen and shrivelled with evidence of cytoplasmic spillage.