[Variation of the sterols from Kluyveromyces lactis and from a resistant mutant by culture in the presence of sublethal doses of amphotericin B]

Abstract

A mutant strain of Kluyveromyces lactis resistant to amphotericin B and weakly to nystatin has been isolated from subcultures of the wild strain grown in the presence of sublethal doses of amphotericin B. The mutant and the wild strain were equally sensitive to pimaricin, filipin, and candicidin. The efficacy of fungizone was very low. In comparison with the wild strain the level of sterols was two times lower in the resistant strain but the composition of these sterols was about the same in the two strains. The action of sublethal doses of amphotericin B on the composition of the sterols was the same in these two yeasts and brought a 40% decrease of the total sterol level and a modification in their distribution. This variation cannot fully explain the resistance of the yeast but it may be associated to other changes of the membranes.