Ergosterol structure

This synthetic allylamine derivative inhibits the enzyme squalene epoxidase at an early stage in fungal sterol biosynthesis. Acting as a structural analogue of squalene, naffidine causes the accumulation of this unsaturated hydrocarbon, and a decrease in ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane. 

This is not discussed in detail since mechanisms of resistance have been carefully reviewed (Ghannoum and Rice 1999). It was pointed out that resistance has not been associated with modification of the structure. For the 1,2,4-triazoles that have been widely used, their effect is due to inhibition of the synthesis of ergosterol that is the dominant component of fungal cell membranes. Resistance is generally associated with modification of the target enzymes, for example, the epoxidation of squalene (Terbinafine) or 14a-demethylase (Fluconazole). Resistance of Candida albicans to the azole antifungal agent fluconazole demonstrated, however, the simultaneous occurrence of several types of mechanism for resistance (Perea et al. 2001) ... 

An X-ray crystal structure determination of calciferol (vitamin D-2,71) showed that steric crowding in the s-cis diene system resulted in a twisted conformation with a dihedral angle of 53° [59], On irradiation with a mercury lamp, it was partially converted into ergosterol (72) and tachysterol (73) [60, 61]. When a solution of calciferol in light petroleum containing a trace of iodine was exposed to diffuse daylight, the vitamin was photoisomerized to (74) [62],... 

Synthesis-Directing Structure-Activity Relationships of Some Fungicides Inhibiting Ergosterol Biosynthesis... 

Mechanistic studies were started by Gaffron15-17 in 1926. At this time Moureu, Dufraisse, and Dean18 discovered the direct photooxygenation of rubrene and Windaus and Brunken19 discovered the photosensitized oxygenation of ergosterol. The structures of both the products formed were elucidated some years later and shown to be those of transannular peroxides (endoperoxides).20-23... 

Butenafine hydrochloride (Mentax) is a benzylamine that is structurally related to the allylamines. As with the allylamines, butenafine inhibits the epoxidation of squalene, thus blocking the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. Butenafine is available as a 1% cream to be applied once daily for the treatment of superficial dermatophytosis. 

The most important or at least the best-known members of the family of D vitamins are vitamin D2 (calciferol), which is indicated in abbreviated form in Structure 1 and can be produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol, and vitamin D3 [Structure 2], which may be produced by the irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol. 

Most steroids are alcohols, and accordingly are named as sterols. Important examples include cholesterol, ergosterol, estradiol, stigmasterol, and other representative sterols given in Table 30-2. As you can see from their structures, most possess the same ring skeleton but vary considerably in their peripheral structural features, stereochemistry, and in the degree of ring unsaturation. 

Serious doubt as to the correctness of the Windaus structure came as a result of an x-ray study of ergosterol by J. D. Bernal in 1932. He pointed out that the x-ray evidence indicated ergosterol to be a long, rather flat molecule. Steroids... 

Vitamin D is represented by cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2), which are structurally similar secosteroids derived from the UV irradiation of provitamin D sterols. In vertebrates, vitamin D3 is produced in vivo by the action of sunlight on 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin. Vitamin D2 is produced in plants, fungi, and yeasts by the irradiation of ergosterol. On irradiation, the provitamins are converted to previtamin D, which undergoes thermal transformation to vitamin D. 

Cholesterol is the most common steroid of mammalian membranes. It is formed biologically from lanosterol, as shown. Ergosterol is the most common steroid of fungal membranes. It differs from cholesterol by the presence of two additional double bonds that affect its three dimensional structure. Also shown are three so-called steroid hormones, andros-terone, estradiol, and testosterone. Note the presence of an aromatic A-ring in estradiol. 

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