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'.
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.
