Fungal cell walls are quite sturdy. The anti-fungal agents available at present target the cell wall synthesis, cell membrane integrity as well as its synthesis, etc. Reports show that fungal cell is basically a carbohydrate layer; so all the targets for these anti-fungal agents are present after the cell wall layer.
So, how do these compounds cross the fungal cell wall to reach their targets? Is it via simple diffusion or slightly more complex mechanism?
Membranes of all cells of living organisms are composed of lipids. There may include carbohydrates. We studied the mechanism of action of bactericidal preparations on the cells. The surfactant locally penetrates the cell membrane. It weakens the hydrophobic interaction of lipids. Then it blocks active pockets of enzymes, for example, oxy dehydrogenase. He climbs into the pocket of the enzyme. Perhaps you will find analogies with this mechanism for antifungal drugs.
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