AURINTRICARBOXYLIC ACID

deep red coarse crystalline powder

endonuclease inhibitor; apoptosis inhibitor, topoisomerase II inhibitor

Aurintricarboxylic acid is employed as a powerful inhibitor of cellular processes, including apoptosis, that are dependent on the formation of protein-nucleic acid complexes. It binds to a FGF and reduces its angiogenic activity. Aurintricarboxylic Acid has been shown to inhibit apoptotic cell death in various cell types induced by a variety of factors. It Inhibits protein-nucleic acid interactions. It stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinases.

ChEBI: A member of the class of quinomethanes that is 3-methylidene-6-oxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1-carboxylic acid in which the methylidene hydrogens are replaced by 4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenyl groups. The trisodium salt is the biological stain 'chrome violet CG' while the triammonium salt is 'aluminon'.

Readily polymerizes in aqueous solution, forming a stable free radical th at inhibits protein-nucleic acid interactions. It is a potent inhibitor of ribonuclease and topoisomerase II by preventing the binding of the nucleic acid to the enzyme. It stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation processes including the Jak2/STAT5 pathway in NB2 lymphoma cells, ErbB4 in neuroblastoma cells, and MAP kinases, Shc proteins, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase and phospholipase Cγ in PC12 cells. Inhibits apoptosis. It prevents down-regulation of Ca2+ -impermeable GluR2 receptors and inhibits calpain, a Ca2+ -activated protease th at is activated during apoptosis.

The acid is dissolved in aqueous NaOH, NaHSO3 solution is added until the colour is discharged and then the tricarboxylic acid is precipitated with HCl. [Heisig & Lauer Org Synth Coll Vol I 54 1941, Beilstein 10 IV 4161]. Do not extract the acid with hot water because it softens, forming a viscous mass. Make a solution in aqueous NH3. Aluminon is the NH4 salt.