oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage. Oxidative stress can be responsible for the induction of several diseases, both chronic and degenerative, as well as speeding up body aging process and cause acute pathologies. Antioxidants are a class of compounds able to counteract oxidative stress and mitigate its effects on individuals’ health, gained enormous attention from the biomedical research community. Antioxidants have long been substantial and amenable therapeutic arsenals for multifarious diseases such as AD and cancer.

MCE Antioxidant Compound Library contains 1482 compounds that act as antioxidants for high throughput screening (HTS) and high content screening (HCS). This library is a useful tool for discovery new antioxidants and oxidative stress research.

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.

Mitochondria plays an important role in many vital processes in cells, including energy production, fatty-acid oxidation and the Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle, calcium signaling, permeability transition, apoptosis and heat production. At present, it is recognized that many diseases are associated with impaired mitochondrial function, such as increased accumulation of ROS and decreased OXPHOS and ATP production. Mitochondria are recognized as one of the most important targets for new drug design in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, etc. Some small molecule drugs or biologics can act on mitochondria through various pathways, including ETC inhibition, OXPHOS uncoupling, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ modulation, and control of oxidative stress via decrease or increase of mitochondrial ROS accumulation.

MCE supplies a unique collection of 890 mitochondria-targeted compound that mainly targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism, ATP Synthase, Mitophagy, Reactive Oxygen Species, etc. MCE Mitochondria-Targeted Compound Library is a useful tool for mitochondria-targeted drug discovery and related research.

Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common age-associated neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and the presence of α-synuclein-containing aggregates in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Motor features such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability are common traits of PD. To date, there is no treatment to stop or at least slow down the progression of the disease. The etiology and pathogenesis of PD is still elusive, however, a large body of evidence suggests a prominent role of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and proteasome dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PD.

MCE offers a unique collection of 1339 compounds with anti- Parkinson’s Disease activities or targeting the unique targets of PD. MCE Anti- Parkinson's Disease Compound Library is a useful tool for exploring the mechanism of PD and discovering new drugs for PD.

Radiation sickness is a general term for various types and degrees of damage (or disease) occurring in the human body after exposure to ionizing radiation. Although small amounts of ionizing radiation can also cause the body to produce free radicals and ROS, causing oxidative stress, resulting in DNA damage and chromosomal aberration. Radioprotector are compounds with radiation protection that can be used to prevent/protect non-tumor cells from the harmful effects of radiation. Radioprotective compounds can prevent the damage of radioactive substances to the human body and reduce the clinical symptoms of various radioactive diseases. In addition, radioprotectors can protect normal cells from damage during radiation therapy. The ideal anti-radiation drug should not affect the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation therapy while protecting normal cells.

MCE designs a unique collection of 1788 radioprotectors. Radioprotector Library is an effective tool for acute Radiation Syndrome, drug combination research with radiation drugs.