ergosterol

American  

[ur-gos-tuh-rohl, -rawl] / ɜrˈgɒs təˌroʊl, -rɔl /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble sterol, C 28 H 43 OH, that occurs in ergot and yeast and that, when irradiated with ultraviolet light, is converted to vitamin D.

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ergosterol British  

/ ɜːˈɡɒstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH

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Etymology

Origin of ergosterol

First recorded in 1885–90; ergo- ² + sterol

Example Sentences

Azoles deplete ergosterol, which results in killing of the pathogen cell.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2024

Further experiments revealed the pathogens were releasing less of a molecule called ergosterol, which made them visible to the ants.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 9, 2023

Fungi have plasma membranes similar to other eukaryotes, except that the structure is stabilized by ergosterol: a steroid molecule that replaces the cholesterol found in animal cell membranes.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

For instance, the biosynthetic pathways and enzymes that produce cholesterol in humans are very similar to those producing the steroid ergosterol in fungi.

From Scientific American • Jul. 28, 2012

The epitome: Vitamin D made by irradiating ergosterol.

From Time Magazine Archive