Membrane-permeant precursor form of the oncometabolite L-2-hydroxyglutarate that inhibits α-ketoglutarate/α-KG-dependent dioxygenases.

Octyl-(S)-2HG (Octyl-L-2HG) is a membrane-permeant precursor form of the oncometabolite L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L2HG) produced from α‐KG by malate dehydrogenases (MDH1/2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA). L2HG can be converted back to α-KG by L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (LHGDH), deletion or mutations of which lead to L2HG accumulation, metabolic disorders and reduced 5hmC levels. Both D- and L-2HG inhibit Jumonji histone demethylases and Tet oxygenases by competing against α-KG binding. However, L2HG is an antagonist, while R2HG (D2HG) is an agonist of α-KG-dependent prolylhydroxylase (EglN).