Effect of altered sterol levels on the transport of amino acids and membrane structure of Microsporum gypseum.

Ergosterol and cholesterol supplementation resulted in a significant increase (1·5- fold) in the sterol content while phospholipid remained unaffected in Microsporum gypseum. The levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine increased in ergosterol supplemented cells. However, a decrease in phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine was observed in cholesterol grown cells. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on ergosterol/cholesterol supplementation. The uptake of amino acids (lysine, glycine and aspartic acid) decreased in sterol supplemented cells. Studies with fluorescent probe l-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate showed structural changes in membrane organisation as evident by increased number of binding sites in such cells.