Statins, which are used as blood-cholesterol lowering agents, are produced by:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Monascus purpureus
Statins are drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. They are produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus. Statins act by competitively inhibiting the enzyme that the body uses to make cholesterol, so less cholesterol is formed. Other organisms in the options give other products: Trichoderma polysporum gives cyclosporin A, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used for bread and ethanol, and Streptococcus gives streptokinase, a clot buster.
NCERT Extract:
Chemicals, Enzymes and Other Bioactive Molecules – “… Another bioactive molecule, cyclosporin A, that is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol.”