Affiliation:
1. College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing, 211816, China
2. National
Engineering Technique Research Center for Biotechnology, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
Abstract
Abstract:
Monacolin K (MK), also known as lovastatin (LOV), is a secondary metabolite synthesized by Monascus in
the later stage of fermentation and is the main component of functional red yeast rice (RYR). The structure of MK is
similar to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA), and it can competitively bind to 3-hydroxy-3-
methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), thus reducing the level of blood lipids. MK can affect the expression
of MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB pathway, prepare conjugates with other compounds, and enhance the sensitivity of
cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs so as to induce apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer,
lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer. Combined with the synthetic route of MK, this paper summarizes the latest
lipid-lowering and anticancer mechanism of MK, and provides a reference for the application of MK in medicine.
Funder
National High-tech Research and Development Program of China
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Cancer Research,Pharmacology,Molecular Medicine