Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue and can be caused by external factors to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, cancer, infarction, poisons, ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), inflammation or trauma. Necrosis inhibitors can counteract the effects that may normally cause cell death.
Historically, cell death has been subdivided into regulated (apoptosis, AKA programmed cell death) and unregulated (necrosis) forms. While apoptosis has always been recognized to be a pathway of highly coordinated signaling events which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death and can often provide beneficial effects to the organism. Necrosis is morphologically characterized by a gain in cell volume (oncosis), swelling of organelles, plasma membrane rupture and subsequent loss of intracellular contents. Necrosis or necrotic cell death is almost always detrimental and can be fatal.
Currently, necrotic pathways are poorly defined and are still largely identified in negative terms by the absence of apoptotic or autophagic markers. Biochemically it is characterized by loss of regulation in ion homeostasis, random digestion of DNA & ultimately postlytic of DNA fragmentation. Physiologically, necrosis affects groups of contiguous cells, phagocytosis by macrophages and significant inflammatory immune response.
Key Features of Necrosis Inhibitor Compounds
- Orally available small molecules
- Good in vivo safety profile
- Low cellular toxicity
- Broad application spectrum against necrotic insults including chemicals, fatty acids, free radicals, and ethanol.
Research Areas and Applications
- In vitro studies: neurotocix, cold stress, hypoxic injury and oxidative stress (ROS/RNS)-induced necrosis
- In vivo studies: necrosis-related pathology such as ischemia/reperfusion injury-inducing organ failure, stroke, myocardinal infarct and neurodegerative diseases
- Ex vivo studies: protection of organ damage in cold storage conditions
Necrosis Inhibitors offered by AG Scientific
Chetomin (CAS 1403-36-7)
Chetomin is an inhibitor of tumor growth, anti-bacterial agent and demonstrates potent immunosuppressive properties. Chetomin, an inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF). Shown to attenuate hypoxia-induced transcription in vitro (IC50= 20 mM) and < 10 nM in inhibiting secreted and cellular VEGF, respectively, in Hep38 cells) and inhibit tumor growth by inducing necrosis in vivo.
DMNQ (CAS 6956-96-3)
DMNQ is a redox-cycling agent that induces intracellular superoxide anion formation and, depending on the concentration, induces cell proliferation, apoptosis or necrosis. DMNQ does not react with free thiol groups, is non-alkylating and adduct-forming in contrast to other quinones. Thus, DMNQ is a valuable tool for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in order to study the role of ROS in cell toxicity, apoptosis and necrosis.
Cyclosporin A (CAS 59865-13-3)
Cyclosporin A, isolated from Fusarium solani, is a potent immunosuppressor. Inhibits nitric oxide (NO) synthesis induced by interleukin 1α, LPS, and TNFα. Cyclosporin A-cyclophilin complexes block calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B), a key enzyme in T cell activation. Also an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and preventor of necrosis in several models.
IM-54 (CAS 861891-50-1)
IM-54 is an indolylmaleimide derivative which, at 1M, inhibits necrotic cell death induced by H in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. It does not prevent etoposide-induced apoptosis and does not inhibit protein kinase C or S6 kinase 1.
PJ-34 (CAS 344458-15-7)
PJ-34 is a potent, water soluble poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (EC50=20nM) compared to (EC50=200μM )of the prototypical PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide. Inhibits induced cell necrosis (EC50=20nM). Has significant, dose dependent,anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of localInflammation models and provides cardioprotection by decreasing myocardial infarct size.
Sterigmatocystin (CAS 10048-13-2)
Sterigmatocystin is a mycotoxin that inhibits DNA synthesis. Induces sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells of mice. Causes necrosis. ST-638: Tyrphostin ST-638, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IC50= 370 nM). It suppresses tyrosine phosphorylation induced by tumor necrosis factor-α and phorbol myristate acetate in neutrophils and by angiotensin II in cardiac fibroblasts. Also shown to inhibit phospholipase D activity in human neutrophils.
Thaxtomin A (CAS 122380-18-1)
Thaxtomin A causes plant cell necrosis at nanomolar concentrations. Demonstrated to be produced by bacterial nitric oxide synthases (NOS).
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