ergosterol

Microbiology

(noun)

major component of fungal cell membranes.

Related Terms

  • mycology
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

  • mycelium
  • hypha
  • chitin
  • thallus
  • saprophyte
  • septum
  • glucan

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.
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