Effects of Triazoles on Fungi. VI. Ultrastructure of Taphrina Deformans

ABSTRACT

The ultrastructural responses of Taphrina deformans to 0.073 μg ml^-1 propiconazole were studied as a function of incubation time with the inhibitor by transmission electron microscopy, and compared to those of the corresponding controls and an isolate that exhibited some tolerance to the inhibitor at 0.5 μg ml^-1. The principal responses relative to the control included: 1) thickened and layered cell walls with the outer layer being more electron dense and fragmented, 2) invaginated or convoluted plasma membrane, and 3) granules and membrane vesicles entrapped in the cell walls. These responses were apparent after 24 h incubation with the inhibitor, but not at 12 h, and became progressively more pronounced and frequent in cells with time up to 72 h. Partially tolerant cells exhibited essentially the same characteristics, but they were generally more pronounced than in the relatively sensitive cells. Growth of the cells in the presence of propiconazole either had no effect on cell wall glucosamine content (used as an indicator of chitin) or it resulted in an increase.

Key Words:

• Taphrina deformans
• propiconazole
• cell wall
• plasma membrane
• sterol biosynthesis inhibitor
• ultrastructure