ergosterol
nounEtymology From French ergot + sterol.
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Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Mycology, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The steroid precursor of vitamin D₂. It is found in cell membranes of fungi, and is their functional equivalent of cholesterol. It is also found in the membranes of some protists.
- Terbinafine has a unique mechanism of action among the antifugal agents (Petranyi et al, 1984; Balfour and Faulds, 1992), inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a key sterol component in the plasma membrane of the fungal cell.2003, Peter G. Pappas, “Terbinafine”, in William E. Dismukes, Peter G. Pappas, Jack D. Sobel, editors, Clinical Mycology, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 104:
- Related terms
- ergocalciferol, sterol, viosterol