Electrophoretic Karyotype of the Pathogenic Yeast Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract
The electrokaryotype of the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is described for the first time. Three different patterns were seen: (a) serotypes B and C (variety gatti) were similar and consist of nine chromosome mobility groups of > 580 kb; (b) serotype A (variety neoformans) revealed eight chromosome-like groups > 700 kb; (c) serotype D (the second serotype of variety neoformans) not only differs from those described above, but each D isolate tested showed a different distribution of bands. The discrepancy, and the importance of electrokaryotyping as a taxonomic tool, are discussed.