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VA4 - Tranglutaminase 2 Inhibitor small molecule (tool compound)

Invented by Jeffrey Keillor
Invented at University of Ottawa

Info

Catalogue Number 159670
Antigen/Gene or Protein Targets Tissue transglutaminase (TG2)
Synonyms VA4
Type Inhibitor
Relevance Transglutaminases are a family of enzymes that are responsible for mediating the formation of protein crosslinks of several diverse structural proteins (including fibronectin and collagen) through a transamidation reaction between peptide Gln and Lys residues. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a member of this protein family, and is ubiquitously expressed in tissues, primarily found in the cytosol, but is also expressed in the nucleus, membranes, cell surface and extracellularly.

TG2 is also able to adopt a compact, or closed conformation which results in minimal crosslinking activity but an increase in its GTP-binding function which affects several cellular signalling pathways. Unregulated transamidation activity is associated with diseases such as fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and celiac disease, while unregulated GTP-binding activity has been implicated with cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and aggressive tumours that are resistant to conventional therapeutic intervention.

Studies have shown that TG2’s GTP-binding activity is essential to the survival of several cancer cell lines, while its transamidation activity is not. VA4 is a targeted and irreversible covalent inhibitor of TG2 that locks the enzyme in its ‘open’ conformation in cells, abolishing its GTP-binding activity. In cellular tests, it has been shown to be selective for TG2 over other transglutaminases.
Selectivity TG2
Molecular Formula C33H41N5O6S
Key Attributes
  • Highly selective for TG2 among family of transglutaminases

  • Highly efficient targeted covalent irreversible inhibitor with kinact/KI approaching 106 M-1 min-1

  • Good stability against glutathione (~100,000 times slower than reaction with TG2)

  • Moderate cellular permeability (PAMPA assay showing log Pe = -5.26 (cm/s))

  • Negligible toxicity (no acute or chronic toxicity observed in mice when administered 50 mg/kg dose 3 times per week, up to 14 weeks)
  • lUPAC Benzyl (S)-(6-acrylamido-1-(4-((5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl)sulfonyl)piperazin-1-yl)-1-oxohexan-2-yl)carbamate
    Molecular Weight (g/mol) 635.77
    In vitro applications Has been shown to block TG2 transamidation activity inside cancer stem cells (SCC13 cells) resulting in abolished transamidase activity. Inhibitor blocks EMT, invasion and kills cancer stem cells. In mesothiolioma cancer stem cells, inhibition of TG2 reduces migration (invasion), and appears to increase markers of apoptosis.
    Solubility Soluble in DMSO
    Research Area Cancer, Cell Signaling & Signal Transduction
    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS): 2088001-23-2
    Storage Dry, dark and at 0 - 4 C for short term (days to weeks) or -20 C for long term (months to years). Aliquot to avoid freeze-thaw cycles. Lasts up to 3 years with proper storage.
    Notes Patent: US20190389814, PCT/IB2017/052162

    References

    There are 1 reference entries for this reagent.

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    References: 1 entry

    Akbar et al. 2017. J Med Chem. 60(18):7910-7927. PMID: 28858494.


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    References: 1 entry

    Akbar et al. 2017. J Med Chem. 60(18):7910-7927. PMID: 28858494.


    Add a reference

    Inventor Information