Aluminon

Biochem/physiol Actions

Aurintricarboxylic acid readily polymerizes in aqueous solution, forming a stable free radical that inhibits protein-nucleic acid interactions. It is a potent inhibitor of ribonuclease and topoisomerase II by preventing the binding of the nucleic acid to the enzyme. It stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation processes including the Jak2/STAT5 pathway in NB2 lymphoma cells, ErbB4 in neuroblastoma cells, and MAP kinases, Shc proteins, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase and phospholipase C in PC12 cells. Aurintricarboxylic acid inhibits apoptosis in many cell types. Its neuroprotective effect, perhaps due to its ability to prevent down-regulation of Ca2+ impermeable GluR2 receptors or to its ability to inhibit calpain, a Ca2+-activated protease that is activated during apoptosis.

Safety Profile

Human reproductive effects by ingestion: changes in male fertility. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NH3 and NOx,.

Definition

ChEBI: An ammonium salt that is the ammonium salt of 3,3'-[(3-carboxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methylene]bis(6-hydroxybenzoic acid). A dye commonly used to detect the presence of the aluminium ion in an aqueous solution.