Biochemically Vulnerable Sites for Antifungal Intercession in the Control of Fungal Growth.
Abstract
Virtually every antifungal agent in use intercedes some aspect of sterol synthesis or function. Ergosterol is the principal sterol in fungi, while cholesterol is the most abundant sterol in vertebrates. Research in our laboratory has shown that the structural differences in ergosterol, in comparison to cholesterol, have distinctive biochemical and physiological effects in fungi. Under the completed contract we have shown that as the sterol composition of sterol auxotrophic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is altered there is disturbance of the mating efficiency of the strains. The normal sterol, ergosterol, mediates a 30-fold higher productive mating efficiency in the auxotrophs than when the cells are supplied with stigmasterol. Using electron and visible microscopy, we have shown that the mated pairs in stigmasterol remained adherent but prezygotic even after 12 hours incubation. Ergosterol rescued the cells and permitted zygote formation. Based on those experiments it was clear that membrane fusion was perturbed by sterol alterations. Continuing work with the renewal grant is focusing on membrane fusion in various normal cell biological processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 26, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA288345
Entities
People
- L. W. Parks
Organizations
- North Carolina State University