Tenovin-
1 is a small molecule activator of p53 transcriptional activity. At 10 μM, it elevates p53 expression in MCF-
7 cells within two hours of treatment and longer-
term exposure significantly decreases the growth of BL2 Burkitt’s lymphoma and ARN8 melanoma cells.
1 Functioning upstream of p53, tenovin-
1 acts by inhibiting the deacetylase activity of purified human SIRT1 and SIRT2, members of NAD
+-
dependent class III histone deacetylases that belong to the sirtuin family.
1 While tenovin-
1 demonstrates low genotoxicity, the compound has poor water solubility, which limits its uses
in vivo.