Terbinafine Hydrochloride: A Potent Non-Competitive Inhibitor of Squalene Epoxidase
Terbinafine [
T3677] and its hydrochloride, allylamine antifungals, are potent non-competitive inhibitors of fungal squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis. Ergosterol is an essential component of fungal cell membrane, and terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis at the stage of squalene epoxidation. This results in fungal cell death primarily due to the increased membrane permeability mediated by the accumulation of high concentrations of squalene but not due to ergosterol deficiency. (The product is for research purpose only.)