Fungal Sterols
Fungal sterols are a type of lipid found in the cell membranes of fungi. Unlike animals, which primarily use cholesterol, fungi typically utilize ergosterol as their main sterol. Ergosterol plays a crucial role in maintaining membrane fluidity and integrity, allowing fungi to adapt to various environmental conditions.
These sterols are important for the growth and reproduction of fungi. They also serve as targets for antifungal medications, such as azoles and polyenes, which inhibit ergosterol synthesis or function. This makes fungal sterols significant in both biology and medicine, particularly in treating fungal infections.