Stemcell, 72172, PD98059

PD98059 is a selective, cell permeable inhibitor of the MEK/ERK pathway that acts by preventing the activation of MEK1 (IC₅₀ = 2 - 7 µM) and MEK2 (IC₅₀ = 50 µM) by upstream kinases. It does not inhibit activated MEK, or the p38 MAPK pathway. (Alessi et al., Davies et al., Dudley et al.)

MAINTENANCE AND SELF-RENEWAL

· Enhances the growth and self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells (Burdon et al., Qi et al.).

· Permits derivation of mouse ES cells from the refractory CBA mouse strain (Buehr and Smith).

DIFFERENTIATION

· Blocks the differentiation of mouse ES cells (Burdon et al.).

· Enhances adipogenic differentiation and blocks osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (Jaiswal et al.).

CANCER RESEARCH

· Decreases number of AML blast colonies with minimal effect on normal hematopoietic progenitors (Milella et al.).