Biochemically Vulnerable Sites for Antifungal Intercession in the Control of Fungal Growth
Abstract
Fungal biodegradation accounts for enormous damage to stored material through degradation and the production of secondary metabolites. We are seeking to identify reactions that are essential to the survival of fungi. Those involved in sterol biosynthesis have been shown to be required for cell growth and amenable to control by antifungal compounds. We have shown that interconversion of sterols between free and esterified forms maintains the basic level of free sterols. We have identified two conditional mutants that have a defect in sterol esterification which is attendant to inhibition of cell growth. Additional experiments used mutations in the structural genes for ergosterol biosynthesis to assess their essentiality for the fungi. Further work under another contract addresses the influence of sterol alterations on the regulation of gene expression in sterol biosynthesis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA332304
Entities
People
- Frank W. Leak
- Leo W. Parks
- Lizette M. Palmermo
- Shirley Tove
Organizations
- North Carolina State University