TA-01 is a derivative of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 (Item Nos. 13067 | 13344) and an inducer of cardiomyocyte differentiation. It is cardiomyogenic at concentrations less than 5 μM, increasing expression of the cardiomyocyte marker NKX2-5 by 2.2-fold and decreasing expression of mesoderm markers and the pre-cardiac marker Isl-1 in HES-3 NKX2-5eGFP/w cells when applied after embryoid body formation. TA-01 inhibits casein kinase 1ε (CK1ε) and CK1Δ and reduces expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway members, activities that positively correlate with its cardiomyogenic activity.
