In 1971, Akira Endo, a Japanese biochemist working for the pharmaceutical company Sankyo, identified mevastatin (ML-236B), a molecule produced by the fungus Penicillium citrinum, as an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, a critical enzyme used by the body to produce cholesterol. Animal trials showed very good inhibitory effect as in clinical trials, however a long term study in dogs found toxic effects at higher doses and as a result mevastatin was believed to be too toxic for human use. Mevastatin was never marketed, because of its adverse effects of tumors, muscle deterioration, and sometimes death in laboratory dogs. COUNT 9
QSN1 Why was Mevastatin never marketed? ANS1 adverse effects of tumors, muscle deterioration, and sometimes death QSN2 Who discovered Mevastatin? ANS2 Akira Endo QSN3 What is HMG-CoA responsible for producing? ANS3 cholesterol QSN4 Where did Endo discover ML-236B? ANS4 Penicillium citrinum QSN5 What was discovered in long term studies? ANS5 too toxic for human use QSN6 In what year was mevastatin discovered? ANS6 1971 QSN7 Who discovered mevastatin? ANS7 Akira Endo QSN8 What organism produces mevastatin? ANS8 Penicillium citrinum QSN9 What enzyme helps produce cholesterol? ANS9 HMG-CoA reductase