KB228

KB228 is a small molecule glucose-analogue inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase (GP) developed by researchers at the University of Debrecen. Chemically a urea derivative, KB228 was designed to block the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. While glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors (GPi-s) were traditionally investigated for their ability to lower blood glucose by trapping glucose in the liver, research into KB228 has demonstrated a novel role in preserving pancreatic beta-cell function. By increasing cellular glycogen content, KB228 appears to create a structural scaffold that clusters members of the insulin receptor (IR) signaling complex, including PI3K, AKT, and p70S6K. This activation leads to increased expression of the transcription factor PDX1 and insulin itself, ultimately enhancing both non-stimulated and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Preclinical studies in insulinoma cell lines and mouse models suggest KB228 may be repurposed for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to ameliorate beta-cell dysfunction.

Other names

N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N'-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)ureaN-(3,5-dimethyl-benzoyl)-N'-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)urea