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| Ergosterol | |
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| IUPAC name | (3S,9S,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-((2R,5R,E)-5,6- dimethylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13- dimethyl-2,3,4,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17- dodecahydro-1H-cyclopentaaphenanthren-3-ol |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [57-87-4] |
| MeSH | |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C28H44O |
| Molar mass | 396.66 g/mol |
| Melting point |
160.0 °C |
| Boiling point |
250.0 °C |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Ergosterol (ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol), a sterol, is a biological precursor (a provitamin) to Vitamin D2. It is turned into viosterol by ultraviolet light, and is then converted into ergocalciferol, which is a form of Vitamin D.[1]
Ergosterol is a component of fungal cell membranes, serving the same function that cholesterol serves in animal cells. The presence of ergosterol in fungal cell membranes coupled with its absence in animal cell membranes makes it a useful target for antifungal drugs. Ergosterol is also present in the cell membranes of some protists, such as trypanosomes.[2] This is the basis for the use of some antifungals against West African sleeping sickness.
Amphotericin B is an antifungal drug that targets ergosterol. It binds to ergosterol and creates a polar pore in fungal membranes. This causes ions (predominantly K+ and H+) and other molecules to leak out, which will kill the cell.[3] Amphotericin B has been replaced by safer agents in most circumstances but is still used, despite its side effects, for life-threatening fungal infections. Miconazole and Clotrimazole also inhibit synthesis of ergosterol.
Ergosterol is also used as an indicator of fungal biomass in soil. Though ergosterol does degrade over time, if kept below freezing in a dark environment, this degradation can be slowed or even stopped completely.
References
- ^ Rajakumar K, Greenspan SL, Thomas SB, Holick MF (October 2007). "SOLAR ultraviolet radiation and vitamin D: a historical perspective". Am J Public Health 97 (10): 1746–54. doi:. PMID 17761571.
- ^ Roberts CW, McLeod R, Rice DW, Ginger M, Chance ML, Goad LJ (February 2003). "Fatty acid and sterol metabolism: potential antimicrobial targets in apicomplexan and trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa". Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 126 (2): 129–42. doi:. PMID 12615312.
- ^ Ellis D (February 2002). "Amphotericin B: spectrum and resistance". J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 49 Suppl 1: 7–10. doi:10.1093/jac/49.suppl_1.7 (inactive 2008-07-02). PMID 11801575.
External links
Safety (MSDS) data for ergosterol Oxford University (2005)
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 2 July 2008, at 16:42.
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