User:Aleahlani/sandbox

When present in smaller concentrations, it forms pores momentarily that lend themselves to more easily allowing vesicle fusions that then disrupt the pores and likely allows the ergosterol to disperse back into the lipid membrane.

It is hypothesized that nystatin binds so well to ergosterol, but not so well with cholesterol, because of the molecular difference between cholesterol and ergosterol. Ergosterol has an extra methyl group as well as an extra double bond that allows the end of the molecule to line up nicely with the middle of the nystatin molecule.

Coutinho, A., & Prieto, M. (2003, May). Cooperative Partition Model of Nystatin Interaction with Phospholipid Vesicles. Biophysical Journal, (5), 2061-3078. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3495(03)70032-0

This paper follows the journey of nystatin as a compound that forms ion-permeable channels. This study was conducted by attaching nystatin to a fluorescent compound so the fluorescence could be measured in the cell membrane. Stearic acid was used to compare the length of the acid to the depth of penetration of nystatin in the lipid membrane to infer intermolecular interactions. This research concluded that by inserting itself in a lipid membrane, nystatin experiences oligomerization, or the repeated binding of nystatin to itself into ring formation. With this research we also have a model of cooperative partition describing the interaction between nystatin and the membrane, which indicates that both chemical compounds are energetically favored when the nystatin is embedded into the membrane.