gene

Epigenetics refers to changes in phenotype that are not rooted in DNA sequence. Many types of epigenetic processes have been identified, including DNA methylation, alteration in the structure of histone proteins and gene regulation by small noncoding microRNAs. Modification of DNA, protein, or RNA, resulting in changes to the function and/or regulation of these molecules, without altering their primary sequences, reveals the complexities of cellular differentiation, embryology, the regulation of gene expression, aging, cancer, and other diseases.

MCE provide a unique collection of 1225 epigenetics-related compounds that can be used in the research of the related diseases.

Transcription is the essential first step in the conversion of the genetic information in the DNA into protein and the major point at which gene expression is controlled. Transcription of protein-coding genes is accomplished by the multi-subunit enzyme RNA polymerase II and an ensemble of ancillary proteins, called transcription factors (TFs). Transcription factors play an important role in the long-term regulation of cell growth, differentiation and responses to environmental cues. Deregulated transcription factors contribute to the pathogenesis of a plethora of human diseases, ranging from diabetes, inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease to many cancers, and thus these proteins hold great therapeutic potential.

MCE offers a unique collection of 1288 compounds with validated transcription factor targets modulating properties. MCE transcription factor-targeted compound library is an effective tool for researching transcription factors as drug targets as well as modulation of TFs for different therapeutic applications.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a low overall survival rate. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for patients presenting with advanced pancreatic cancer. More recently, the era of targeted therapies has generated a lot of interest in discovering better approaches for patients with pancreatic cancer. Commonly mutated genes in pancreatic cancer include K-ras (in 74-100% of cases), p16INK4a (up to 98%), p53 (43 to 76%), DPC4 (about 50%), HER-2/neu (in about 65%) and FHIT (found in 70% of cases). Other genes involved are notch1, Akt-2, BRCA2 and COX-2. These proteins are important targets of target therapies for pancreatic cancer.

MCE offers a unique collection of 2695 compounds with identified and potential anti- pancreatic cancer activity. These compounds target K-Ras, p53, HER2, Notch, AKT, etc. MCE anti-pancreatic cancer compound library is a useful tool for anti-pancreatic cancer drugs screening and other related research.

According to reports, most known kinase inhibitors exert their effects through competitive binding in highly conserved ATP pockets. Although genetic techniques such as RNA interference can inactivate specific genes, most kinases are multi domain proteins, each of which has an independent function. Highly selective inhibitors have higher efficiency than non-selective inhibitors, and the selectivity to the target is at least 100 times higher. Therefore, ensuring the validation of targets with the most selective inhibitors is crucial for a more thorough understanding of the pharmacology of the kinase field. The Highly Selective Inhibitors Library contains 4653 compounds, covering multiple targets and subtypes, such as GPCR protein family, Ion channel, multiple kinases, etc. The Highly Selective Inhibitors Library is an effective tool for screening different phenotypes

Nuclear receptors (NR) are proteins found in cells that sense androgen and thyroid hormones and certain other molecules. They are ligand-activated transcription factors that participate in many aspects of human physiology and pathology, and regulate the expression of various important genes.

Nuclear receptors have become one of the main targets in the development of new drug strategies, providing a unique type of receptors for studying a variety of human diseases, such as breast cancers, skin disorders and diabetes. 13% of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs target nuclear receptors.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 661 nuclear receptor inhibitors and activators, all of which have the identified inhibitory or activated effect on nuclear receptor. MCE Nuclear Receptor Library is a useful tool for drugs research related to cancer, skin disease and diabetes.

Hematopathy, also known as hematopoietic system diseases, are a class of diseases that hematopoietic system has abnormal changes. Common hematopathy include: aplastic anemia, myeloproliferative diseases, thalassemia, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and hemophilia, etc. In recent years, treatments for hematopathy have been developed. In particular, the treatment of malignant hematopathy developed from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow development to immunotherapy, induced differentiation therapy, cell therapy, gene therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although these therapies have greatly improved the survival rate of patients, there are still problems such as low cure rate and easy recurrence in the treatment of hematopathy. Therefore, it is of great significance to actively search for new hematopathy therapeutic drugs.

MCE designs a unique collection of 2706 anti-hematopathy small molecules, which is an effective tool for development and research of anti-hematopathy compounds.

DNA is prone to numerous forms of damage that can injure cells and impair fitness. Cells have developed an array of mechanisms to repair these injuries. Proliferating cells are especially vulnerable to DNA damage due to the added demands of cellular growth and division. Cell cycle checkpoints represent integral components of DNA repair that coordinate cooperation between the machinery of the cell cycle and several biochemical pathways that respond to damage and restore DNA structure. By delaying progression through the cell cycle, checkpoints provide more time for repair before the critical phases of DNA replication, when the genome is replicated, and of mitosis, when the genome is segregated. Loss or attenuation of checkpoint function may increase spontaneous and induced gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations by reducing the efficiency of DNA repair.

MCE owns a unique collection of 2001 cell cycle/DNA damage-related compounds which can be used in the research of the same.

A histone modification, a covalent post-translational modification (PTM) to histone proteins, includes methylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitylation, and sumoylation, etc. In general, histone modifications are catalyzed by specific enzymes that act predominantly at the histone N-terminal tails involving amino acids such as lysine or arginine, as well as serine, threonine, tyrosine, etc. The PTMs made to histones can impact gene expression by altering chromatin structure or recruiting histone modifiers. Histone modifications act in diverse biological processes such as transcriptional activation/inactivation, chromosome packaging, and DNA damage/repair. Deregulation of histone modification contributes to many diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases.

MCE owns a unique collection of 614 bioactive compounds targeting Epigenetic Reader Domain, HDAC, Histone Acetyltransferase, Histone Demethylase, Histone Methyltransferase, Sirtuin, etc. Histone Modification Research Compound Library is a useful tool for histone modification research and drug screening.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, arises as adenocarcinoma from glandular epithelial cells of the large intestine comprised of the colon and rectum. The majority of cases of CRC are sporadic and result from risk factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, processed diets, alcohol consumption and smoking. CRC is also a common preventable cancer.

Studies showed several cellular signaling pathways dysregulated in CRC, leading to the onset of malignant phenotypes. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the signaling pathways involved in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer to study the progression and drug treatment of colorectal cancer. Among them, Wnt/β-catenin, p53, TGF-β/SMAD, NF-κB, Notch, VEGF and other target genes and signaling pathways are the focus of research. MCE offers a unique collection of 1618 compounds with identified and potential anti-colorectal cancer activity. MCE anti-colorectal cancer compound library is a useful tool for anti-colorectal cancer drugs screening and other related research.

Most of molecules enter or leave cells mainly via membrane transport proteins, which play important roles in several cellular functions, including cell metabolism, ion homeostasis, signal transduction, the recognition process in the immune system, energy transduction, etc. There are three major types of transport proteins, ATP-powered pumps, channel proteins and transporters. Transport proteins such as channels and transporters play important roles in the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis, and mutations in these transport protein genes have been identified in the pathogenesis of a number of hereditary diseases. In the central nervous system, ion channels have been linked to, but not limited to, many diseases such asataxias, paralyses, epilepsies, and deafness. This indicates the roles of ion channels in the initiation and coordination of movement, sensory perception, and encoding and processing of information. Ion channels are a major class of drug targets in drug development.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1392 smal-molecule modulators that can be used for the research of Ion Channel and Membrane Transporter or high throughput screening (HTS) related drug discovery.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/Rel proteins include NF-κB2 p52/p100, NF-κB1 p50/p105, c-Rel, RelA/p65, and RelB. These proteins function as dimeric transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes and influence a broad range of biological processes including innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, stress responses, B-cell development, and lymphoid organogenesis. NF-κB plays a key role in regulating the immune response to infection. In addition, activation of the NF-κB pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Incorrect regulation of NF-κB has been linked to cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, septic shock, viral infection, and improper immune development.

MCE owns a unique collection of 805 small molecule compounds that can be used in the research of NF-κB signaling pathway or high throughput screening (HTS) related drug discovery.

Liver cancer is one of the leading malignancies which occupies the second position in cancer deaths worldwide, becoming serious threat to human health. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also known as hepatoma is the most common type accounting for approximately 90% of all liver cancers.

Current evidence indicates that during hepatocarcinogenesis, two main pathogenic mechanisms prevail: (1) cirrhosis associated with hepatic regeneration after tissue damage caused by hepatitis infection, toxins or metabolic influences, and (2) mutations occurring in single or multiple oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Both mechanisms have been linked with alterations in several important cellular signaling pathways. These include the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, WNT/b-catenin pathway, insulin-like growth factor pathway, c-MET/HGFR pathway , etc.

MCE offers a unique collection of 1816 compounds with identified and potential anti-liver cancer activity. MCE anti-liver cancer compound library is a useful tool for anti-liver cancer drugs screening and other related research.

Protein phosphorylation is a key post-translational modification underlying the regulation of many cellular processes. Phosphatases and kinases contribute to the regulation of protein phosphorylation homeostasis in the cell. This reversible regulation of protein phosphorylation is critical for the proper control of a wide range of cellular activities, including cell cycle, proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, cell-cell interactions, etc.

Protein phosphatases have evolved in separate families that are structurally and mechanistically distinct. Based on substrate specificity and functional diversity, protein phosphatases are classified into two superfamilies: Protein serine/threonine phosphatases and Protein tyrosine phosphatases. Ser/Thr phosphatases are metalloenzymes belonging to two major gene families termed PPP (phosphoprotein phosphatase) and PPM (metal-dependent protein phosphatases), whereas protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) belong to distinct classes of enzymes that utilize a phospho-cysteine enzyme intermediate as a part of their catalytic action.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 132 phosphatase inhibitors that mainly targeting protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases. MCE Phosphatase Inhibitor Library is a useful tool for phosphatase drug discovery and related research.

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by functional decline of tissues and organs, structural degeneration, and reduced adaptability and resistance, all of which contribute to an increase in morbidity and mortality caused by multiple chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and diabetes. Many theories, which fall into two main categories: programmed and error theories, have been proposed to explain the process of aging, but neither of them appears to be fully satisfactory. The programmed theories imply that aging relies on specific gene regulation, and the error theories emphasize the internal and environmental damages accumulated to living organisms. The damage theories proposed the nine hallmarks that were generally considered to contribute to the aging process: genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient-sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication.

MCE Anti-Aging Compound Library contains 4352 compounds, mainly targeting Sirtuin, mTOR, IGF-1R, AMPK, p53, Telomerase, Mitophagy, Mitochondrial Metabolism, COX, Cytochrome P450, Oxidase, etc. This library is a useful tool for anti-aging research.

Mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can modify multiple signaling pathways and in turn cell metabolism, which facilitates tumorigenesis. The paramount hallmark of tumor metabolism is “aerobic glycolysis” or the Warburg effect, coined by Otto Warburg in 1926, in which cancer cells produce most of energy from glycolysis pathway regardless of whether in aerobic or anaerobic condition. Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside. The increased uptake of glucose is facilitated by the overexpression of several isoforms of membrane glucose transporters (GLUTs). Likewise, the metabolic pathways of glutamine, amino acid and fat metabolism are also altered. Recent trends in anti-cancer drug discovery suggests that targeting the altered metabolic pathways of cancer cells result in energy crisis inside the cancer cells and can selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation by delaying or suppressing tumor growth.

MCE provides a unique collection of 2043 compounds which cover various tumor metabolism-related signaling pathways. These compounds can be used for anti-cancer metabolism targets identification, validation as well anti-cancer drug discovery.

Techniques for reprogramming somatic cells create new opportunities for drug screening, disease modeling, artificial organ development, and cell therapy. The development of reprogramming techniques has grown exponentially since Yamanaka reprogrammed somatic cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using four transcription factors, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC in 2006. Despite the development of efficient reprogramming methods, most methods are inappropriate for clinical applications because they carry the risk of integrating exogenous genetic factors or use oncogenes. Alternative approaches, such as those based on miRNA, non-viral genes, non-integrative vectors, and small molecules, have been studied as possible solutions to the problems. Among these alternatives, small molecules are attractive options for clinical applications. Reprogramming using small molecules is inexpensive and easy to control in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. It offers a high level of cell permeability, ease of synthesis and standardization, and it is appropriate for mass-producing cells.

MCE Reprogramming Compound Library contains a unique collection of 2048 compounds that act on reprogramming signaling pathways. These compounds are potential stimulators for reprogramming. This library is a useful tool for researching reprogramming and regenerative medicine.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is involved in many cellular processes in both the adult organism and the developing embryo including cell growth, cell differentiation, apoptosis, cellular homeostasis and other cellular functions. The TGF-β superfamily comprises TGF-βs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins and related proteins. Signaling begins with the binding of a TGF beta superfamily ligand to a TGF beta type II receptor. The type II receptor is a serine/threonine receptor kinase, which catalyzes the phosphorylation of the Type I receptor. The type I receptor then phosphorylates receptor-regulated SMADs (R-SMADs) which can now bind the coSMAD (e.g. SMAD4). R-SMAD/coSMAD complexes accumulate in the nucleus where they act as transcription factors and participate in the regulation of target gene expression. Deregulation of TGF-β signaling contributes to developmental defects and human diseases, including cancers, some bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, etc.

MCE designs a unique collection of 223 TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway compounds. TGF-beta/Smad Compound Library acts as a useful tool for TGF-beta/Smad-related drug screening and disease research.

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway controls many cellular processes that are important for the formation and progression of cancer, including apoptosis, transcription, translation, metabolism, angiogenesis, and cell cycle progression. Every major node of this signaling network is activated in a wide range of human tumors. Mechanisms for the pathway activation include activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) upstream of PI3K, mutation or amplification of PIK3CA encoding p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K, mutation or loss of PTEN tumor suppressor gene, and mutation or amplification of Akt1. Once the pathway is activated, signaling through Akt can stimulate a series of substrates including mTOR which is involved in protein synthesis. Thus, inhibition of this pathway is an attractive concept for cancer prevention and/or therapy. Currently some mTOR inhibitors are approved for several indications, and there are several novel PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors in clinical trials.

MCE owns a unique collection of 568 compounds that can be used for PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway research. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Compound Library also acts as a useful tool for anti-cancer drug discovery.

Oxygen homeostasis regulation is the most fundamental cellular process for adjusting physiological oxygen variations, and its irregularity leads to various human diseases, including cancer. Hypoxia is closely associated with cancer development, and hypoxia/oxygen-sensing signaling plays critical roles in the modulation of cancer progression.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor that functions as a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis. A variety of HF-1 target genes have been identified thus far which encode proteins that play key roles in critical developmental and physiological processes including angiogenesis/vascular remodeling, erythropoiesis, glucose transport, glycolysis, iron transport, and cell proliferation/survival.

HIF-1 is a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of a constitutively expressed β-subunit and an oxygen-regulated α-subunit. The unique feature of HIF-1 is the regulation of HIF-1α expression and activity based upon the cellular O₂ concentration. Under normoxic conditions, hydroxylation of HIF-1α on these different proline residues is essential for HIF proteolytic degradation by promoting interaction with the von Hippel-Lindau tumor-suppressor protein (pVHL) through hydrogen bonding to the hydroxyproline-binding pocket in the pVHL β-domain. As oxygen levels decrease, hydroxylation of HIF decreases; HIF-1α then no longer binds pVHL, and becomes stabilized, allowing more of the protein to translocate to the cell’s nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor, upregulating (often within minutes) the production of proteins that stimulate blood perfusion in tissues and thus tissue oxygenation.

MCE offers a unique collection of 2507 oxygen sensing related compounds targeting HIF/HIF Prolyl-Hydroxylase, MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, etc. MCE Oxygen Sensing Compound Library is a useful tool to study hypoxia, oxidative stress and discover new anti-cancer drugs.

FnCas12a(Cpf1), is an RNA-guided, DNA-editable recombinant endonuclease that can be used for gene editing and detection.

This product is obtained by expressing the Exo I gene (E. coli) in Escherichia coli and then purifying and isolating it multiple times.