15-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoylamino]pentadecanoic acid

15-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoylamino]pentadecanoic acid, also known as 7e, is a synthetic aryl-urea fatty acid analogue developed as a targeted anticancer agent. It belongs to a novel class of mitochondrial uncouplers that act as lipophilic protonophores. The molecule consists of a 3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl urea moiety attached to a 15-carbon (pentadecanoic acid) chain. Its mechanism of action involves the disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) through the transport of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, facilitated by the self-assembly of the deprotonated carboxylate with the urea anion receptor. This uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation leads to the depletion of ATP, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activation of pro-apoptotic pathways, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Developed by researchers at the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, 7e has demonstrated cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines, such as MDA-MB-231. It is an analogue of the prototype compound CTU (the 16-carbon version), with the alkyl chain length optimized for mitochondrial targeting and cell-killing potency.

Other names

C15 aryl-urea fatty acid analogueC-15 aryl-urea fatty acid analogueC 15 aryl-urea fatty acid analogue15-((3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoylamino)pentadecanoic acid