ERG1, encoding squalene epoxidase,is located on the right arm of chromosome VII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The ERG1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in the ergosterol pathway. ERG1 is an essential gene. Disruption of the gene with URA3 results in a lethal phenotype when cells are grown under aerobic conditions, even in the presence of ergosterol. However, cells are viable in the presence of ergosterol under anaerobic growth conditions during which ergosterol is taken up by cells. Physical and genetic mapping data reveal that ERG1 is located on the right arm of chromosome VII proximal to QCR9 at a distance of 14·6 cM from ADE3.