Talk:Zaragozic acid

Does anyone know why Merck discovered these but never brought them into clinical trials? My guess is that in 1993 when discovered, the statins were more than adequate for lowering cholesterol (or at least in making money from lowering cholesterol) or the synthesis or isolation was not adequate before the patent expired. Alternatively, perhaps it is because they also inhibit farnesyl transferase (I think, can't find reference right now), so specificity may be an issue. Bform (talk) 15:22, 3 March 2008 (UTC)


 * "Zaragozic acids D and D2: potent inhibitors of squalene synthase and of Ras farnesyl-protein transferase." []
 * "Total synthesis of the squalene synthase inhibitor zaragozic acid C." []
 * "Discovery, biosynthesis, and mechanism of action of the zaragozic acids: potent inhibitors of squalene synthase." []
 * "Zaragozic acids: a family of fungal metabolites that are picomolar competitive inhibitors of squalene synthase." [] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.9.143.185 (talk) 02:33, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

How do A, B, C, D and D2 vary
Article says they "vary in their 1-alkyl and their 6-acyl side chains" - but exactly how ? Is the diagram of the A variant ? Rod57 (talk) 14:32, 24 August 2010 (UTC)