An allosteric phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) activator (K_d =10.3 μM).  Binds exlusively to the PIF-binding pocket of PDK1, distinct from the ATP binding site.  It has recently been found that a combination of PS48, sodium butyrate (Cat. No. 1609-1000), a histone deacetylase inhibitor and the gene Oct-4, could enhance the reprogramming efficiency of keratinocytes isolated from human skin or hair follicles over 25-fold.