surfen

**Surfen** (bis-2-methyl-4-amino-quinolyl-6-carbamide) is a small molecule antagonist of heparan sulfate (HS) and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including heparin, dermatan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate. It binds electrostatically to charged sulfate and carboxyl groups on these polysaccharides, neutralizing heparin's anticoagulant activity by preventing activation of antithrombin (AT) and inhibition of Factor Xa, and counteracting low molecular weight heparins like dalteparin, tinzaparin, enoxaparin, and fondaparinux. Surfen inhibits enzymatic sulfation (e.g., by uronyl 2-O-sulfotransferase) and degradation (e.g., by heparin lyases) of GAGs in vitro, blocks HS-dependent cellular processes such as FGF2 and VEGF165 binding/signaling, endothelial sprouting/angiogenesis, cell adhesion to fibronectin Hep-II domain, and HSV-1 infection via glycoprotein D-HS interaction, and maintains pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by reversible inhibition of glycan-growth factor interactions. Originally described in 1938 as an excipient for depot insulin formulations to enable subcutaneous precipitation for slow release, it has shown antibacterial, trypanocidal, anthrax lethal factor inhibitory, and modest anticancer properties in assays, with low toxicity in historical use but potential concerns from high-dose animal studies.[1][3][7][11]

Other names

bis-2-methyl-4-amino-quinolyl-6-carbamidebis2-methyl-4-amino-quinolyl-6-carbamidebis 2-methyl-4-amino-quinolyl-6-carbamideaminoquinurideaminokinurideaminichinurid