biostudies-literatureUnknown16(3)Sakyi POThe recent outlook of leishmaniasis as a global public health concern coupled with the reportage of resistance and lack of efficacy of most antileishmanial drugs calls for a concerted effort to find new leads. The study combined <i>In silico</i> and in vitro approaches to identify novel potential synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting the <i>Leishmania donovani</i> sterol methyltransferase (<i>Ld</i>SMT). The <i>Ld</i>SMT enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the parasite's membrane fluidity, distribution of membrane proteins, and control of the cell cycle. The lack of <i>Ld</i>SMT homologue in the human host and its conserved nature among all <i>Leishmania</i> parasites makes it a viable target for future antileishmanial drugs. Initially, six known inhibitorPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)330https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10054574biostudies-literatureInhibiting <i>Leishmania donovani</i> Sterol Methyltransferase to Identify Lead Compounds Using Molecular Modelling.PMC10054574Miller WAWilson MDTuekpe JKKwofie SKGwira TMBroni EAmewu RKSakyi POfalseInhibiting <i>Leishmania donovani</i> Sterol Methyltransferase to Identify Lead Compounds Using Molecular Modelling.The recent outlook of leishmaniasis as a global public health concern coupled with the reportage of resistance and lack of efficacy of most antileishmanial drugs calls for a concerted effort to find new leads. The study combined <i>In silico</i> and in vitro approaches to identify novel potential synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting the <i>Leishmania donovani</i> sterol methyltransferase (<i>Ld</i>SMT). The <i>Ld</i>SMT enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the parasite's membrane fluidity, distribution of membrane proteins, and control of the cell cycle. The lack of <i>Ld</i>SMT homologue in the human host and its conserved nature among all <i>Leishmania</i> parasites makes it a viable target for future antileishmanial drugs. Initially, six known inhibitor2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Feb2025-04-22T18:22:10.011Z2025-02-19T01:13:26.982ZS-EPMC100545743698643010.3390/ph16030330