Differences in the Sterol Synthesizing Pathways of Sterol-Producing and Non-Sterol-Producing Fungi

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Abstract
The mycelia of several sterol-producing [Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, Penicillium atrovenetum] and non-sterol-producing [Phytophthora cinnamomi, P. cactorum, Pyhthiam graminicola, P. ultimum] fungi were analyzed for the presence of squalene, squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol. The sterol-producing fungi contained all 4 compounds, whereas only squalene was detected in the non-sterol-producing fungi. The block in the synthesis of ergosterol by the latter organisms is presumed to occur at the stage at which squalene is usually oxidized to squalene epoxide.