M4L2 - Antifungals

Ergosterol

This is a lipid molecule found in the cell membranes of fungi that serves a similar purpose to cholesterol in mammalian cells membranes

Superficial mycose

This refers to a fungal infection that occurs on the surface of the skin, e.g. ringworm, athletes’ foot

Subcutaneous mycose

This refers to a fungal infection that occurs underneath the surface of the skin, e.g. sporotrichosis

Systemic mycose

This refers to a fungal infection that occurs around the internal organs, e.g. aspergillosis, candidiasis

Candida albicans

This is a commensal organism found in the mouth, intestine, and vagina

Aspergillosis

This is a disease caused by spores of aspergillus fumagatis/flavus; involves lung infection which may spread to the blood, kidneys, and/or brain

Polyene

This is an antifungal class which binds to ergosterol and disrupts the integrity of the plasma membrane

Polyoxin

This is an antifungal class which inhibits chitin synthesis in the cell wall

Echinocandin

This is an antifungal class which inhibits glucan synthesis for the cell wall

Azole

This is an antifungal class which inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol for the plasma membrane

14-α-demethylase

This is an enzyme involved in the conversion of linosterol to ergosterol

Penicillin

This is a drug produced by fungi for treatment of gram-positive bacterial infection

Echinocandidin-B

This is a drug produced by aspergillus nidulans for treatment of fungal infections

Griseofulvin

This is a drug produced by penicillum griseofulvin for treatment of fungal infections

Lovastatin

This is a drug produced by aspergillus terreus for the treatment of high cholesterol