Fluconazole primarily acts through which mechanism?

Fluconazole primarily acts by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis, which is a critical component of fungal cell membranes. This mechanism is essential because ergosterol plays a similar role in fungi as cholesterol does in human cells, maintaining cell membrane integrity and function.

By inhibiting the enzyme lanosterol demethylase, a key step in the biosynthetic pathway of ergosterol, fluconazole disrupts the production of this important sterol, leading to changes in membrane fluidity and permeability. As a result, it compromises the structure and functionality of the fungal cell membrane, ultimately leading to cell death or fungal growth inhibition.

This antifungal activity makes fluconazole an effective treatment for a variety of fungal infections, primarily those caused by Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans.