| Description | SAICAR is an intermediate of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis, activates pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) in an isozyme-selective manner (EC50: 0.3 mM). |
| In vitro | Upon glucose starvation, cellular SAICAR concentration increases in an oscillatory manner and stimulates PKM2 activity in cancer cells. 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. 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][3]. |
| molecular weight | 454.28 |
| Molecular formula | C13H19N4O12P |
| CAS | 3031-95-6 |
| Storage | Powder: -20°C for 3 years | In solvent: -80°C for 1 year |
| References | 1. Keller KE, et al. SAICAR induces protein kinase activity of PKM2 that is necessary for sustained proliferative signaling of cancer cells. Mol Cell. 2014 Mar 6;53(5):700-9. 3. Keller KE, et al. SAICAR stimulates pyruvate kinase isoform M2 and promotes cancer cell survival in glucose-limited conditions. Science. 2012 Nov 23;338(6110):1069-72. |