16-([3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]carbamoylamino)hexadecanoic acid

16-([3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]carbamoylamino)hexadecanoic acid is a novel aryl-urea fatty acid (AUFA) that functions as a mitochondrial-targeting anticancer agent. It is designed to selectively accumulate in the mitochondria of cancer cells, such as the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer line, where it disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential and induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This mitochondrial disruption leads to the activation of apoptotic cell death pathways. The compound features a 16-carbon alkyl chain which is critical for its lipophilicity and mitochondrial localization. Research into this molecule and its analogues has demonstrated that carbon chain length is a key factor in modulating mitochondrial targeting and cytotoxic potency, with shorter-chain analogues sometimes showing enhanced activity.

Other names

16-(3-(3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)hexadecanoic acid16-{[(3-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)carbamoyl]amino}hexadecanoic acid