ETaKG

A cell-permeable, bioavailable & aqueous stable α-ketoglutarate prodrug that selectively induces PHD-dependent cell death in hypoxic cells

ETaKG is a cell-permeable, aqueous stable, bioavailable, non-toxic α-ketoglutarate/2-oxoglutarate (α-KG/2-OG) diester derivative that readily undergoes hydrolysis by cytosolic esterases to α-KG. The monoester analog, TaKG is also membrane permeant. ETaKG elevates intracellular [α-KG] by ~15-fold in a prologned fashion, destabilizes HIF-1α/2α and reactivates prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) in hypoxic HCT116, A431 and RPE cells at 2 mM. Further, shown to selectively trigger PHD-dependent cell death in hypoxic cells and decreases cellular [ATP] and glucose uptake. ETaKG has shown to reduce glucose metabolism, elevate [α-KG] levels and suppress A375 xenograft tumor growth (750 mg/kg of mice, p.o., q.d., 14 days). Also, induces mTORC1 lysosomal translocation and stimulates mTORC1 activity in the absence of glutaminolysis in U2OS cells.