BW12C

BW12C (5-(2-formyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)pentanoic acid) is a small molecule aromatic benzaldehyde that acts as an allosteric modulator of hemoglobin. It was designed to stabilize the oxy-conformation of hemoglobin by binding to the alpha-chain terminal amino groups (alpha 1-valine) through Schiff's base formation, ionic, and hydrophobic interactions. This stabilization causes a significant left-shift in the oxygen saturation curve, increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen and thereby reducing oxygen delivery to tissues, effectively inducing localized hypoxia. Originally developed by Wellcome Research Laboratories as an anti-sickling agent for sickle cell disease, it works by preventing the polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin S. Additionally, BW12C has been investigated in oncology as a physiological modifier to enhance the activity of bioreductive cytotoxic agents (such as mitomycin C) or to protect normal tissues from radiation-induced damage by inducing temporary hypoxia.

Other names

5-(2-formyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)pentanoic acid5-[2-formyl-3-hydroxypenoxyl] pentanoic acid