Ergosterol Biosynthesis (None)

Ergosterol biosynthesis is a complex metabolic pathway essential for the production of ergosterol, a critical component of fungal cell membranes. Ergosterol regulates membrane fluidity, permeability, and the activity of membrane-associated proteins. The pathway is absent in animals, making it a key target for antifungal drug development. The pathway can be divided into three main modules: Mevalonate Pathway, Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthesis, and Steroid Formation & Ergosterol Synthesis. It involves numerous enzymes and is regulated at transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. Disruption of this pathway leads to altered cell permeability or death, the basis for antifungal selectivity. Alterations can also lead to drug resistance through modulation of efflux pumps.

Inhibition of enzymes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, such as lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase (ERG11/CYP51) or squalene epoxidase (ERG1).