University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cholesterols Great Escape!

Qureshi, Zaeem

Content Files
379869104_Q15_date_20250318_id_12257.jpeg

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128147

Description

Title
Cholesterols Great Escape!
Author(s)
Qureshi, Zaeem
Issue Date
2025
Keyword(s)
  • simulations
  • extractions
  • sterols
Date of Ingest
2025-05-08T11:21:15-05:00
Abstract
Ever had a nasty fungal infection? Your treatment likely dealt with cell membranes and sterols. Sterols are essential for cell life as they help maintain fluidity and order in the membrane. When fungal infections invade the body, they present fungal cells that rely on ergosterol for vital membrane function. Some antifungal drugs extract ergosterol in order to disrupt the membrane and trigger fungal cell death. In human cells we have cholesterol which is structurally and functionally similar to ergosterol, with the latter having an extra carbon and double bond. Unfortunately, this similarity causes many antifungal drugs to mistakenly attack both fungal and human cells by extracting the two sterols, leading to harmful side effects like fevers, hypotension, and nausea.Using molecular dynamics simulations, such as the one seen above, we can extract both ergosterol and cholesterol from their respective membranes to compare the forces acting on them, such as hydrophobic interactions and lipid packing. By identifying key differences in these forces, we can better inform antifungal drug development such that they precisely target fungal cells while leaving human cells unharmed. Simulating sterols breaking through the membrane could lead to a breakthrough in safer, more effective antifungal treatments!
Type of Resource
  • still image
  • text
Language
eng
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Zaeem Qureshi

Owning Collections

Image of Research - Undergraduate Students PRIMARY