IPI-926
Encyclopedia
IPI-926 is an experimental drug candidate currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of various types of cancer. IPI-926 exhibits its pharmacological effect by inhibition of the G protein-coupled receptor
smoothened
, a component of the hedgehog signaling pathway
. Chemically, it is a derivative
of the alkaloid
cyclopamine
.
G protein-coupled receptor
G protein-coupled receptors , also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptor, and G protein-linked receptors , comprise a large protein family of transmembrane receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal...
smoothened
Smoothened
Smoothened is a G protein-coupled receptor protein encoded by the gene of the hedgehog pathway conserved from flies to humans. It is the molecular target of the teratogen cyclopamine....
, a component of the hedgehog signaling pathway
Hedgehog signaling pathway
In a growing embryo, cells develop differently in the head or tail end of the embryo, the left or right, and other positions. They also form segments which develop into different body parts. The hedgehog signaling pathway gives cells information that they need to make the embryo develop properly....
. Chemically, it is a derivative
Derivative (chemistry)
In chemistry, a derivative is a compound that is derived from a similar compound by some chemical or physical process. In the past it was also used to mean a compound that can be imagined to arise from another compound, if one atom is replaced with another atom or group of atoms, but modern...
of the alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
cyclopamine
Cyclopamine
Cyclopamine is a naturally occurring chemical that belongs to the group of steroidal jerveratrum alkaloids. It is a teratogen isolated from the corn lily that causes usually fatal birth defects. It can prevent the fetal brain from dividing into two lobes and cause the development of a single eye...
.