Membrane function
While penicillins and cephalosporins aim to inhibit cell wall synthesis, amphotericin B inhibits the membrane function of fungi and eukaryotic organisms. Because fungi do not have cell walls, membrane function is a target. To inhibit membrane functions such as selective transport and cell shape, antibiotics look to destroy the membrane. Amphotericin B binds to sterols in the cell membranes of fungi, which leads to degradation of membrane integrity and cell lysis. Note: Amphotericin B is used to treat systemic infections, but because it targets eukaryotic cell membranes, is also quite toxic to the host.
