Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

1.3K
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
1.3K
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

530
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
530
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

1.4K
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
1.4K
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

1.2K
Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
1.2K
DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

17.5K
DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
17.5K
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

13.4K
The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
13.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Aging impact on canine extracellular vesicles production, size, and miRNA content.

Veterinary research communications·2026
Same author

Cellular and molecular responses of <i>Cryptococcus</i> to brilacidin.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same author

An experimental approach to investigate extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of lipids between fungal cells.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same author

Extracellular vesicles of <i>Emergomyces africanus</i> modulate host immune responses and reflect metabolic adaptations to nutrient availability.

Infection and immunity·2026
Same author

Effects of human immunoglobulins on <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> morphology and proteome.

mBio·2026
Same author

Fungal extracellular vesicles mediate conserved cross-species communication and immunomodulation.

mBio·2026
Same journal

Post-translational negative feedback loops are sufficient to coordinate synthesis of the gram-negative envelope during steady-state growth.

mBio·2026
Same journal

mGem: A tale as old as blood-do tick-borne pathogens exploit arthropod antioxidant defenses?

mBio·2026
Same journal

mGem: Subcellular compartments in bacterial pathogens and their role during infection.

mBio·2026
Same journal

mGem: A perfect storm in the era of global warming-the convergence between thermotolerant fungi and altered immunity.

mBio·2026
Same journal

Global genomic surveillance of <i>Salmonella</i> in the environment: assessing virulence and antimicrobial resistance at scale.

mBio·2026
Same journal

Detoxifying and depolymerizing microorganisms reveal intertwined guild collaborations in the gut microbiome of the generalist macro-algivorous fish <i>Kyphosus cinerascens</i>.

mBio·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
08:52

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

40.9K

The Multifunctional Fungal Ergosterol.

Marcio L Rodrigues1,2

  • 1Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Brazil marcio.rodrigues@fiocruz.br.

Mbio
|September 20, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ergosterol, known for membrane roles, is now recognized as an immune-active lipid inducing pyroptosis. Its biosynthetic pathway offers new antifungal drug targets, expanding its biological relevance.

Keywords:
Candida albicansSaccharomyces cerevisiaeantifungal agentsergosterolfungiimmunity

More Related Videos

A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
06:58

A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study

Published on: November 6, 2015

10.3K
Multifunctional Hybrid Fe2O3-Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmonic Heating
08:04

Multifunctional Hybrid Fe2O3-Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmonic Heating

Published on: February 20, 2016

14.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis
08:52

Live-cell Video Microscopy of Fungal Pathogen Phagocytosis

Published on: January 9, 2013

40.9K
A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
06:58

A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study

Published on: November 6, 2015

10.3K
Multifunctional Hybrid Fe2O3-Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmonic Heating
08:04

Multifunctional Hybrid Fe2O3-Au Nanoparticles for Efficient Plasmonic Heating

Published on: February 20, 2016

14.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Ergosterol is crucial for fungal membrane fluidity, structure, and serves as a target for antifungal drugs.
  • Its established roles in membrane biology and antifungal targeting are well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight recent findings on ergosterol's immunological activity and its biosynthetic pathway as drug targets.
  • To underscore the expanded biological significance of ergosterol beyond its known functions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent immunological and drug target studies concerning ergosterol.
  • Analysis of ergosterol's role in inducing pyroptosis.
  • Identification of ergosterol biosynthesis steps as potential antifungal targets.

Main Results:

  • Ergosterol has been identified as an immunologically active lipid that triggers pyroptosis.
  • Nearly all steps in ergosterol's biosynthetic pathway present potential targets for drug development.
  • These findings suggest a broader biological relevance for ergosterol than previously understood.

Conclusions:

  • Ergosterol's functions extend to immune regulation, specifically inducing pyroptosis.
  • The ergosterol biosynthetic pathway represents a promising avenue for novel antifungal therapies.
  • Ergosterol's multifaceted roles necessitate a re-evaluation of its importance in fungal biology and medicine.