3-methyladenine

3-Methyladenine is a synthetic small molecule belonging to the class of organic compounds known as purines. It is structurally characterized as a methylated derivative of adenine with a methyl group at the N-3 position. Its primary mechanism of action is inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), particularly class III PI3K (Vps34), which leads to suppression of autophagy by blocking autophagosome formation[2][4][9]. This compound is widely used in research as an experimental tool to study autophagy and related cellular processes. In addition to its role in inhibiting autophagy via PI3K inhibition[2][4], it has been shown to modulate other cellular pathways such as stimulating protein kinase A (PKA) activity and increasing lipolysis in adipocytes through cAMP elevation[5]. At higher concentrations or under certain conditions it can induce cytotoxicity and DNA damage independent of AKT/mTOR signaling[7]. It does not have approved therapeutic indications and is primarily used for laboratory research.

Other names

3-methyl-3H-adenine6-amino-3-methylpurinemethyladenineN(3)-methyladenineadenine 3-methyl-adenine3-methyl-adenine-3-methyl-n3-methyladeninen-3-methyladeninen 3-methyladenine