Abstract
ERG24 is the structural gene for the C14-sterol reductase in yeast. A lack of activity in that enzyme, mediated either by the morpholine fungicides or the insertional inactivation of ERG24, causes the accumulation of the aberrant sterol ignosterol. Cells producing this sterol are unable to grow aerobically in the routine laboratory medium, YPD. However, growth does occur on a synthetic defined medium. A novel calcium-dependent phenotype associated with alterations in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in yeast is described. In addition, reduction of yeast growth with an azole inhibitor of the C-14 sterol de-methylase was also modulated by an excess of calcium ions in the culture medium. These results define a new effect of ergosterol deficiency and provide important practical implications for utilizing morpholine and azole sterol biosynthetic-inhibiting fungicides.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 19 February / 25 May 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Crowley, J., Tove, S. & Parks, L. A calcium-dependent ergosterol mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curr Genet 34, 93–99 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002940050371
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002940050371