ATX-Red AR-2 is an in vivo imaging probe for visualizing and measuring ATX activity. It is an analog of the autotaxin substrate lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and contains a near-infrared fluor (Licor IRDye^® 800CW) and quencher (Licor IRDye^® QC-1). The design is modeled after FS-3, a fluorogenic ATX substrate that is predictive of ATX activity. In the parent compound, fluorescence is quenched through intramolecular energy transfer, but when autotaxin cleaves ATX-Red AR-2, fluorescence increases. This activation mechanism is specific to autotaxin in vitro and in vivo.

Autotaxin which has lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD) activity, cleaves choline from lysophosphatidylcholine forming lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a potent mitogen that as been implicated in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer. LysoPLD/ATX has been demonstrated to increase cell motility, neovascularization, proliferation, and aggressiveness of tumors and is upregulated in numerous cancer lineages (non-small cell lung , glioma, mammary carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma). In addition, dysregulation of the ATX/LPA pathway is central to the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. Modulation of ATX activity through small-molecules is a currently underexplored target, but one with high potential for novel cancer and anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Notice to Purchaser: Echelon Biosciences products are sold for research and development purposes only and are not to be incorporated into products for resale without written permission from Echelon Biosciences. The compound AR-2 and its use in assaying for Lysophospholipase D activity are covered by Echelon Biosciences Inc. US patents 7,485,259 & 7,989,663. The purchase of this product includes a limited, non-transferable immunity from suit under the foregoing patent claims for using only this amount of product for the purchaser’s own internal research. For inquiries email busdev@echelon-inc.com

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