19-methylgeldanamycin

19-methylgeldanamycin is a synthetic, research-stage small molecule derivative of geldanamycin, a naturally occurring benzoquinone ansamycin (BQA). It acts as an inhibitor of the molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) by binding to its N-terminal ATP-binding domain, albeit with reduced affinity compared to the parent compound geldanamycin. The rationale behind its design is that the introduction of a methyl group at the C-19 position of the quinone ring blocks nucleophilic attack by biological thiols such as glutathione, thereby preventing the arylation of cellular nucleophiles and reducing the hepatotoxicity associated with parent BQAs. It has been studied primarily as a proof-of-principle compound in the 17-DMAG series for potential applications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Other names

19-methyl geldanamycin