Bacterial cell membrane or Fungal cell membrane (None widely accepted; sometimes abbreviated as CM (cell membrane) or FMC for "fungal membrane" in literature, but not standardized)

The **bacterial cell membrane** is a selectively permeable, phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins; it regulates transport, houses metabolic processes, and serves as a semi-permeable boundary[5][7]. In bacteria, membrane composition varies between Gram-negative (with additional outer membrane) and Gram-positive types. The **fungal cell membrane** is also a phospholipid bilayer, but is characterized by the presence of **ergosterol** (rather than cholesterol as in mammals)—making it a specific target for antifungal drugs[2][6]. Both membranes are essential for cell viability and are exploited by antibiotics and antifungals for selective toxicity[2][4][6][8]. However, "Bacterial or Fungal cell membrane" is not a standard single therapeutic target, but rather refers to two distinct cell types with unique biological and pharmacological properties.

Other names

Plasma membranecytoplasmic membranelipid bilayerfungal membranebacterial membrane

Disruption of membrane integrity (polyene antifungals form complexes with ergosterol in fungal membranes causing permeability and leakage); Inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis (triazoles block fungal sterol synthesis); Binding to membrane phospholipids and causing ion leakage (new antifungals such as mandimycin); Pore-forming and depolarizing agents (polymyxins act on bacterial membranes)