ZARAGOZIC ACID-D AND ACID-D(2) - POTENT INHIBITORS OF SQUALENE SYNTHASE AND OF RAS FARNESYL-PROTEIN TRANSFERASE

Two new zaragozic acids, D and D2, have been isolated from the keratinophilic fungus Amauroascus niger. Zaragozic acids D [4] and D2 [5) are related to the previously described zaragozic acids A [1], B [2], and C [3] and are potent inhibitors of squalene synthase. Furthermore, all the zaragozic acids (A, B, C, D, and D2) are also active against farnesyl transferase. Zaragozic acids D and D2 inhibit farnesyl transferase with IC50 values of 100 nM, while zaragozic acids A and B are less potent.