Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a compound of interest of the sterol biosynthesis pathway in a eukaryotic organism or a derivative of a compound of the sterol biosynthesis pathway in said eukaryotic organism, in particular a sterol. This method comprises a step for the in vitro culturing of cells of said eukaryotic organism modified to express or overexpress a defensin, in a culture medium suitable for the development of said cells and containing at least one element chosen from the transition metals, lead and selenium, at a concentration greater than or equal to the concentration of said element that is necessary for inducing the overproduction of said compound of interest by said cells.