2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate

Chemical compound

2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) is a chemical compound that is commonly used in biological research as a modulator of calcium signaling. It is known for its ability to influence the activity of ion channels and receptors involved in calcium homeostasis.

Chemical Structure

2-APB is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₅BNO₂. It consists of a borate group attached to a diphenyl ether moiety, with an aminoethoxy side chain. The presence of the boron atom is crucial for its biological activity.

Mechanism of Action

2-APB is primarily known for its role as an inhibitor of IP₃ receptors (IP₃Rs) and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). It can modulate the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum by inhibiting IP₃Rs, which are channels that release calcium in response to IP₃ signaling.

Additionally, 2-APB affects SOCE by interacting with the stromal interaction molecule (STIM) and Orai proteins, which are essential components of the calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel. By modulating these pathways, 2-APB can influence various cellular processes that depend on calcium signaling.

Applications in Research

2-APB is widely used in pharmacology and cell biology to study calcium signaling pathways. It serves as a tool to dissect the roles of IP₃Rs and SOCE in various physiological and pathological contexts. Researchers utilize 2-APB to:

• Investigate the dynamics of calcium release and uptake in cells.
• Explore the role of calcium signaling in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and differentiation.
• Study the effects of calcium modulation in neurobiology and cardiology.

Limitations

While 2-APB is a valuable research tool, it is not highly selective and can affect multiple targets within the cell. This lack of specificity can complicate the interpretation of experimental results. Researchers must consider these limitations when designing experiments and analyzing data.

Related pages

• Calcium signaling
• Inositol trisphosphate receptor
• Store-operated calcium entry
• Ion channel

Gallery

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  2D structure of 2-APB
• 
  3D space-filling model of 2-APB

2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl_borate

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  2-APB
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  2-APB 3D spacefill