What is the mechanism of action of Fluconazole?

Fluconazole is an antifungal medication that works primarily by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol, which is a vital component of fungal cell membranes. Ergosterol plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and fluidity of the cell membrane in fungi, similar to how cholesterol functions in human cell membranes.

By targeting the enzyme lanosterol demethylase, which is part of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, fluconazole effectively reduces the levels of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane. This disruption leads to increased membrane permeability and eventually cell death, making fluconazole an effective treatment against various fungal infections.

In contrast, the mechanisms described in the other choices are not applicable to fluconazole. Bacterial cell wall synthesis inhibition refers to the action of certain antibiotics like penicillin, while dissolving fungal spores is not a recognized mechanism of action for any antifungal drug. Altering protein synthesis is typically addressed by different classes of antimicrobial agents, such as certain antifungal or antibacterial medications, but is not the primary action of fluconazole. Thus, understanding that fluconazole specifically inhibits ergosterol synthesis elucidates why its mode of action is critical for treating fungal infections.