(±)-trans-1,2-Bis(2-mercaptoacetamido)cyclohexane (BMC) is a cyclohexane with two mercaptoacetamido groups. It is used, both in vitro and in vivo, to promote the correct folding of proteins that require disulfide bonds for functionality. For in vitro applications, BMC may be used to facilitate protein refolding of solubilized proteins from inclusion bodies. Reducing agents, like dithiothreitol, may interfere with refolding. BMC may also be added to the growth medium of cells, including yeast cells, to enhance the folding of proteins with disulfide bonds in vivo.
The phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) phosphates represent a small percentage of total membrane phospholipids. However, they play a critical role in the generation and transmission of cellular signals. PtdIns-(1,2-dioctanoyl) is a synthetic analog of natural phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) containing C8:0 fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. The compound features the same inositol and diacyl glycerol (DAG) stereochemistry as that of the natural compound. The short fatty acid chains of this analog, compared to naturally-occurring PtdIns, gives it different physical properties including high solubility in aqueous media. PtdIns are phosphorylated to mono- (PtdIns-P; PIP), di- (PtdIns-P2; PIP2), and triphosphates (PtdIns-P3; PIP3). Hydrolysis of PtdIns-(4,5)-P2 by phosphoinositide (PI)-specific phospholipase C generates inositol triphosphate (IP3) and DAG which are key second messengers in an intricate biochemical signal transduction cascade.
All-trans-13,14-Dihydroretinol, a metabolite of all-trans-retinoic acid, is synthesized through the enzymatic action of retinol saturase on all-trans-retinoic acid.