ABSTRACT
The role of the protoplast membrane in all living cells is to act as a barrier separating the cell contents from the external environment. The polyene macrolide antibiotics and the synthetic imidazole derivatives are the most important antimycotic drugs used clinically. These compounds interact with the protoplast membrane of sensitive fungi causing impairment of function, leakage of cellular constituents, and ultimately cell death. The synthetic imidazole derivatives comprise the other major group of clinically important antimycotic drugs. The interaction of antimycotic drugs with the protoplast membrane of sensitive fungi is not confined to a physical disruption of the lipoprotein bilayer, with associated loss of function. The inhibition of synthesis of any one of the protein or lipid constituents may prevent the synthesis of a functional membrane, but the discussion in this section is restricted to the compounds that specifically inhibit the synthesis of the lipid constituents. The importance of the protoplast membrane in antifungal chemotherapy cannot be overemphasized.
