Spautin-1 is an autophagy inhibitor, inducing cell death in human breast cancer Bcap-37 cells grown in glucose-free media (EC50 = ~1.25 μM). It does not significantly affect the viability of Bcap-37 cells grown in complete media. Spautin-1 promotes the degradation of Vps34 PI3K complex by inhibiting the deubiquitinating enzymes USP10 and USP13 (IC50s = 0.58 and 0.69 μM, respectively). It is used to elucidate the role of autophagy in cellular processes. Spautin-1 has also been used to demonstrate roles for autophagy in viral infection.
