ergosterol

Microbiology

(noun)

major component of fungal cell membranes.

Related Terms

Biology

(noun)

the functional equivalent of cholesterol found in cell membranes of fungi and some protists, as well as, the steroid precursor of vitamin D2

Related Terms

Examples of ergosterol in the following topics:

  • Antifungal Drugs

    • The biosynthesis of ergosterol requires the enzyme lanosterol 14 α-demethylase.
    • This enzyme is needed to convert lanosterol to ergosterol.
    • Targeting this enzyme prevents ergosterol production.
    • The biosynthesis of ergosterol requires an enzyme called squalene peroxidase.
    • Squalene peroxidase is responsible for catalyzing the first step in ergosterol biosynthesis; inhibition of this enzyme results in disruption of ergosterol synthesis.

  • Lipid Soluble Vitamins

    • The precursors of vitamins A and D have been identified as the tetraterpene beta-carotene and the steroid ergosterol, respectively.

  • Fungi Cell Structure and Function

    • Fungi have plasma membranes similar to other eukaryotes, except that the structure is stabilized by ergosterol: a steroid molecule that replaces the cholesterol found in animal cell membranes.

  • Lipid Biosynthesis

    • Lanosterol can then be converted into other steroids such as cholesterol and ergosterol.