Okadaic acid sodium salt (CAS 209266-80-8)

Okadaic Acid sodium salt is a complex polyether dinoflagellate toxin that acts as a potent inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatases, enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues in proteins. It exerts its inhibitory effect by binding to serine/threonine protein phosphatases, therefore, increasing the levels of phosphorylated proteins and leading to alterations in cellular processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. As an example, It selectively inhibits protein phosphatases 1A (PP1) and protein phosphatases 2A and 2B (PP2). The reversible phosphorylation of proteins plays a critical role in cellular regulation, making okadaic acid useful for investigating the significance of PP1A and PP2A/2B activity in cell behavior. However, it is important to note that okadaic acid has been demonstrated to promote tumor growth. Okadaic acid is a cyclic polyether composed of two hexahydroxy-octanoic acid molecules linked by an ether bond. It presents as a white crystalline solid that readily dissolves in distilled water, 100% ethanol, DMSO and acetone. Notably, it shares structural similarity with several other dinoflagellate toxins, including the potent neurotoxin domoic acid. The sodium salt form of okadaic acid offers increased stability compared to the free acid when stored in organic solvents. Overall, Okadaic Acid finds extensive use in scientific research to explore the roles of protein phosphorylation in various cellular processes.