Fungi are among the most primitive organisms that synthesize sterols.
The fungal sterol, ergosterol, is similar to animal sterol, cholestero
l, but with significant structural differences. The genetics and bioch
emistry for most of the steps in sterol biosynthesis have been studied
in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yet, little is known of the p
recise physiological roles that sterols play in the cell. Work with st
rains that are auxotrophic for ergosterol has led to the prediction of
at least four growth-dependent functions for sterols. Most of the ant
ifungal compounds in medical and agricultural use affect some aspect o
f sterol synthesis or function. Extensive studies on the modes of acti
on of those substances and research on the effects of altering sterol
metabolism by sterol mutants are providing new insights into sterol fu
nctions in the cells. In addition, questioning why fungi require ergos
terol rather than the simpler cholesterol provides heuristic impetus f
or further experimentation.