ULK2
ULK2 (unc-51-like kinase 2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that functions as a core regulator of autophagy, particularly under nutrient-deprived conditions, and acts upstream of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase machinery that supports autophagosome formation[1][2]. Mechanistically, ULK2 participates in the autophagy-initiation network together with ATG13 and FIP200 and contributes to starvation-induced autophagic signaling through pathways linked to AMPK and mTOR regulation[3][4]. In experimental systems, ULK1 and ULK2 display substantial functional overlap, and nutrient-dependent autophagy is most effectively suppressed when both kinases are absent, demonstrating their cooperative role in autophagy induction[3][5]. Disease-related interest in ULK2 arises from the broad involvement of autophagy in cancer, inflammatory disorders, and other pathologies in which cellular adaptation to metabolic stress is critical. Compared with the closely related isoform ULK1, ULK2 shares major structural and functional characteristics but may exhibit distinct regulatory interactions and biological functions, indicating that the two kinases are not completely redundant[6]. For experimental applications, pharmacological inhibitors targeting ULK1/2 signaling are widely used to investigate autophagy mechanisms; compounds such as MRT68921 inhibit both ULK1 and ULK2 with nanomolar potency and suppress autophagic activity in cellular models[7].
References:
- [1]. Uniprotkb.
- [2]. Lee EJ, et al. The requirement of uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and ULK2 in the regulation of autophagy. Autophagy. 2011 Jul;7(7):689-95. [Content Brief]
- [3]. Alers S, et al. Role of AMPK-mTOR-Ulk1/2 in the regulation of autophagy: cross talk, shortcuts, and feedbacks. Mol Cell Biol. 2012 Jan;32(1):2-11. [Content Brief]
- [4]. Ganley IG, et al. ULK1.ATG13.FIP200 complex mediates mTOR signaling and is essential for autophagy. J Biol Chem. 2009 May 1;284(18):12297-305. [Content Brief]
- [5]. Demeter A, et al. ULK1 and ULK2 are less redundant than previously thought: computational analysis uncovers distinct regulation and functions of these autophagy induction proteins. Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 2;10(1):10940. [Content Brief]
- [6]. Egan DF, et al. Small Molecule Inhibition of the Autophagy Kinase ULK1 and Identification of ULK1 Substrates. Mol Cell. 2015 Jul 16;59(2):285-97. [Content Brief]
All Product Categories
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ULK2 Related Products (13)
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MRT68921
0 ImagesMRT68921 is a potent NUAK1/ULK1 dual inhibitor. MRT68921 inhibits ULK1 and ULK2 with IC50 values of 2.9 nM and 1.1 nM, respectively. MRT68921 can block cells autophagy and kill tumor cells by breaking the balance of oxidative stress signals. MRT68921 can inhibit cell proliferation and induce ROS production and apoptosis. MRT68921 can be used for the research of cancer, such as breast cancer.
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SBP-5147
0 ImagesCat. No.: HY-181815CAS No.: 1884222-37-0SBP-5147 is an orally active ULK1/ULK2 inhibitor, with an IC50 of 2 nM against ULK1 and an IC50 of 53 nM against ULK2. SBP-5147 inhibits the phosphorylation of Beclin-1 and Vps34, reduces autophagy flux, downregulates the expression of ATG13 and ATG101, upregulates the expression of MHC-I, induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, and decreases the viability of non-small cell lung cancer cells. SBP-5147 is applicable to research related to non-small cell lung cancer[1].
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MRT68921 dihydrochloride
0 ImagesMRT68921 dihydrochloride is a potent NUAK1/ULK1 dual inhibitor. MRT68921 dihydrochloride inhibits ULK1 and ULK2 with IC50 values of 2.9 nM and 1.1 nM, respectively. MRT68921 dihydrochloride can block cells autophagy and kill tumor cells by breaking the balance of oxidative stress signals. MRT68921 dihydrochloride can inhibit cell proliferation and induce ROS production and apoptosis. MRT68921 dihydrochloride can be used for the research of cancer, such as breast cancer.
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SBP-1750
0 ImagesSBP-1750 is an orally active ULK inhibitor and an ATG13 degrader. SBP-1750 strongly inhibits ULK1/2 activity, with IC50 values of 8 and 50 nM, respectively. SBP-1750 induces ATG13 degradation, with an EC50 value of 114 nM. SBP-1750 can inhibit autophagy in cancer cells and induce cell death. SBP-1750 can be used in cancer research, such as for pancreatic cancer.
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MR-2088
0 ImagesMR-2088 is a reversible, ATP-competitive, and selective ULK1/2 inhibitor with pEC50 values of 8.3 and 8.7 respectively. MR-2088 effectively inhibits autophagic flux and demonstrates a synergistic antiproliferative effect with Trametinib (HY-10999) (MEK inhibitor) in vitro. MR-2088 can be used for non-small lung cell cancer (NSCLC) research.
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MRT68921 hydrochloride
0 ImagesCat. No.: HY-100006BCAS No.: 2070014-87-6MRT68921 hydrochloride is a potent NUAK1/ULK1 dual inhibitor. MRT68921 hydrochloride inhibits ULK1 and ULK2 with IC50 values of 2.9 nM and 1.1 nM, respectively. MRT68921 hydrochloride can block cells autophagy and kill tumor cells by breaking the balance of oxidative stress signals. MRT68921 hydrochloride can inhibit cell proliferation and induce ROS production and apoptosis. MRT68921 hydrochloride can be used for the research of cancer, such as breast cancer.
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