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.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.