Sterol Biosynthesis in Fungi

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Abstract
Phycomyces blakesleeanus and Aspergillus fumigatus both contain ergosterol as one of their main sterols. Therefore the present identification of lanosterol, 24-methylenelanosterol and possibly 14-dimethyl-l-24-methylenelanosterol, and also the evidence for the presence of 4[alpha]-methyl sterols containing a methylene group at C-24, is of considerable significance. The occurrence of such compounds in fungi can be postulated on biosynthetic grounds, and we believe that transmethylation does occur at the lanosterol level to produce 24-methylenelanosterol, which is subsequently modified by loss of the 4[alpha]-, 4[beta]- and 14[alpha]-methyl groups and double-bond rearrangements to give ergosterol.