Zaragozic Acid - Uses

Uses

Zaragozic acids are potent inhibitors of S. cervisiae, fungal and mammalian squalene synthase and therefore inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Squalene synthase is the first committed enzyme in sterol synthesis, catalyzing the reductive condensation of farnesyl pyrophosphate to form squalene. As a squalene synthase inhibitor, zaragozic acid produces lower plasma cholesterol levels in primates. Treatment of rats with zaragozic acid A caused an increase in hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA levels.

Zaragozic acids also mildly inhibit Ras farnesyl-protein transferase.

Zaragozic acid D and D2 have been isolated from the keratinophilic fungus Amauroascus niger.