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Key Documents

A7019

Sigma-Aldrich

(±)Amethopterin hydrate

≥95%, powder

Synonym(s):

4-Amino-10-methylfolic acid, DL-4-Amino-N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, MTX, Methylaminopterin

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C20H22N8O5 · xH2O
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
454.44 (anhydrous basis)
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
PubChem Substance ID:

Assay

≥95%

form

powder

color

yellow to yellow with an orange cast

solubility

H2O: insoluble

storage temp.

−20°C

SMILES string

O.CN(Cc1cnc2nc(N)nc(N)c2n1)c3ccc(cc3)C(=O)NC(CCC(O)=O)C(O)=O

Gene Information

Application

Amethopterin is a folic acid antagonist and potent anticancer agent. Amethopterin blocks DNA synthesis by preventing the production of tetrahydrofolate cofactors which are required to make thymidine. Amethopterin is actively transported into cells by the folate transporter where it is converted to a high molecular weight polyglutamate metabolite by folylpolyglutamate synthase, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Amethopterin is a folic acid antagonist and potent anticancer agent. Blocks DNA synthesis by blocking the production of tetrahydrofolate covactors required for the synthesis of thymidine. Amethopterin is actively transported into cells by the folate transporter. In the cell, it is converted to a high molecular weight polyglutamate metabolite by folylpolyglutamate synthase that, in turn, binds to dihydrofolate reductase and inhibits its activity. Amethopterin-polyglutamate is degraded intracellularly by γ-glutamyl hydrolase.

Reconstitution

Add a minimal amount of 0.1 N NaOH to solubilize, then dilute in neutral buffer or saline. Diluted stock is stable for 1 week refrigerated and for 1 month frozen at −20 °C. References: Cell & Tissue Culture: Laboratory Procedures, Chapter 27, Page 27D:3.2 (A. Doyle, et al., eds, John Wiley) and Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook, vol. 2, page 417 (Julio E. Celis, ed., Academic Press).

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 3 Oral - Eye Irrit. 2 - Repr. 1B - Skin Irrit. 2

Storage Class Code

6.1B - Non-combustible acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 3

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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Roy Fleischmann et al.
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Joshua F Baker et al.
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Kalle Jyri Aaltonen et al.
The Journal of rheumatology, 42(3), 372-378 (2015-01-17)
Because of the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in host defense, it was hypothesized that its inhibition might lead to an increased risk of malignancies and infections. The objective of our study was to assess the incidence of serious
Axel Finckh et al.
Arthritis research & therapy, 16(5), 458-458 (2014-10-16)
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) may cause severe arthropathy, major joint destruction and treatment options are limited. The aim of this study was to test the therapeutic efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in chronic or recurrent CPPD arthropathy. Patients with CPPD arthropathy
Anna-Birgitte Aga et al.
Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 74(2), 381-388 (2013-11-29)
To investigate whether baseline disease activity levels and responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) changed during the period 2000-2010. Data were provided by the Norwegian disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (NOR-DMARD) study. Patients with inflammatory joint diseases starting new treatment with

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