Discrimination between cholesterol and ergosterol by yeast membranes

The typical sterol of animal membranes (cholesterol) failed to support normal growth of yeast under anaerobic conditions when compared to the growth induced by the organism's natural sterol (ergosterol). This pathology was evident in strongly reduced numbers of cells, failure of budded cells to separate, and premature death. This study demonstrates that one or all of the Δ^5,7-, Δ²²-, and 24β-methyl groupings present in ergosterol are functionally significant.