NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Statins are products of fermentation by the yeast Monascus purpureus. Statins resemble mevalonate and are competitive inhibitors of HMG (-hydroxy--methylglutaryl) CoA reductase, an enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

Detailed explanation-2: -Monascus purpureus is a yeast used commercially in the production of blood cholesterol-lowering statins.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are currently seven HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) approved in the United States for lowering cholesterol levels. Three statins are derived from fungi (lovastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin) and four statins are synthesized (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, and pitavastatin).

Detailed explanation-4: -Natural statins can be obtained from different genera and species of filamentous fungi. Lovastatin is mainly produced by Aspergillus terreus strains, and mevastatin by Penicillium citrinum.

Detailed explanation-5: -The red rice yeast produces a statin (lovastatin) in the process of fermenting rice. It has been part of traditional Chinese medicine and has undergone formal testing in the West. The data indicate that significant LDL cholesterol reductions of 22% can be obtained with 2.4 g of red rice yeast.