Sfh3 is a sterol-modulated PI/PI4P transfer protein that confers azole resistance in yeast by specifically mediating lanosterol/PI exchange

Sfh3 is a sterol-regulated PI/PI4P transfer protein that mediates selective lanosterol/PI exchange, and this exchange is necessary for yeast resistance to miconazole.

• Why it matters: The study addresses how Sfh3 mobilizes neutral lipids from lipid droplets and how sterol metabolism connects to azole resistance, a mechanism not fully defined.
• What they did: Using real-time assays, kinetic, structure-function, and thermal stability analyses, the authors tested Sfh3 lipid transfer and found ergosterol transfer is not activated by PI and is inhibited by lanosterol.
• The result: Sfh3 performs selective lanosterol/PI exchange when it recognizes PI in the presence of ergosterol, and this activity is necessary for Saccharomyces cerevisiae resistance to miconazole.