| Bioactivity | SAICAR is an intermediate of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis, activates pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) in an isozyme-selective manner, with an EC50 of 0.3 mM. SAICAR stimulates PKM2 and promotes cancer cell survival in glucose-limited conditions[1][2]. |
| Invitro | SAICAR accumulation induces nuclear localization of PKM2. PKM2-SAICAR phosphorylates and activates Erk1/2, which in turn sensitizes PKM2 for SAICAR binding through phosphorylation. Additionally, PKM2-SAICAR was necessary to induce sustained Erk1/2 activation and mitogen-induced cell proliferation. SAICAR-PKM2 interaction is necessary and sufficient to induce H3 T11 and Erk1/2 phosphorylation[2].Upon glucose starvation, cellular SAICAR concentration increases in an oscillatory manner and stimulates PKM2 activity in cancer cells. The SAICAR-PKM2 interaction also promotes cancer cell survival in glucose-limited conditions. In glucose-limited conditions, cells with higher SAICAR concentrations (adsl-kd cells or cells overexpressing PAICS) survive better while paics-kd cells died earlier than control-kd cells. SAICAR promotes cancer cell survival in glucose-limited conditions[3]. |
| Name | SAICAR |
| CAS | 3031-95-6 |
| Formula | C13H19N4O12P |
| Molar Mass | 454.28 |
| Transport | Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere. |
| Storage | 4°C, sealed storage, away from moisture and light *In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture and light) |