- Home
- Signaling Pathways
- Metabolism
- DHFR
- Methotrexate
Methotrexate
Methotrexate, a folate antagonist, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent when used weekly in low concentrations, the anti-phlogistic action of which is due to increased adenosine release at inflamed sites. Studies have demonstrated that methotrexate polyglutamates are active inhibitors of several enzymatic reactions, including dihydrofolate reductase. On consideration of biochemical pharmacology of methotrexate of methotrexate, it is taken up by cells and tissues and converted to methotrexate–polyglutamates, long-lived derivatives that retain biochemical and biologic activity within the cell. There is evidence that methotrexate does not act in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) simply as a cytotoxic agent for the cells responsible for the inflammation.
Reference
Bruce N. Cronstein, Dwight Naime, Edward Ostad. The antiinflammatory mechanism of methotrexate. Increased adenosine release at inflamed sites diminishes leukocyte accumulation in an in vivo model of inflammation. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1993 December; 92(6): 2675–2682.
Bruce N. Cronstein. The mechanism of action of methotrexate. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America Volume 23, Issue 4, 1 November 1997, Pages 739–755.
- 1. Goodspeed A, Jean A, et al. "A Whole-genome CRISPR Screen Identifies a Role of MSH2 in Cisplatin-mediated Cell Death in Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer." Eur Urol. 2019 Feb;75(2):242-250. PMID:30414698
- 2. Andrew Goodspeed, Annie Jean, et al. "Low MSH2 protein levels identify muscle-invasive bladder cancer resistant to cisplatin." bioRxiv. 2018 June 29.
Physical Appearance | A solid |
Storage | Store at -20°C |
M.Wt | 454.44 |
Cas No. | 59-05-2 |
Formula | C20H22N8O5 |
Synonyms | Amethopterin, Rheumatrex, Abitrexate, Methylaminopterin, Antifolan, Trexall, Ledertrexate |
Solubility | ≥21.55 mg/mL in DMSO; insoluble in EtOH; insoluble in H2O |
Chemical Name | (2S)-2-[[4-[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl-methylamino]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid |
SDF | Download SDF |
Canonical SMILES | CN(CC1=CN=C2C(=N1)C(=NC(=N2)N)N)C3=CC=C(C=C3)C(=O)NC(CCC(=O)O)C(=O)O |
Shipping Condition | Small Molecules with Blue Ice, Modified Nucleotides with Dry Ice. |
General tips | We do not recommend long-term storage for the solution, please use it up soon. |
Cell experiment [1]: | |
Cell lines |
activated T cells from human peripheral blood |
Preparation method |
The solubility of this compound in DMSO is >21.6 mg/mL. General tips for obtaining a higher concentration: Please warm the tube at 37 ℃ for 10 minutes and/or shake it in the ultrasonic bath for a while. Stock solution can be stored below -20℃ for several months. |
Reacting condition |
0.1-10 μM, 1-24 h |
Applications |
Methotrexate (0.1-10 μM) induced apoptosis of activated T cells from human peripheral blood. In PBL, treatment with MTX for 8 h induced apoptosis. Methotrexate at low (0.01 μM) and high (100 μM) concentrations inhibited cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis. Methotrexate-induced apoptosis required progression to the S phase of the cell cycle. |
Animal experiment [2,3]: | |
Animal models |
Mice |
Dosage form |
Intraperitoneal injection, 2 mg/kg, once daily |
Application |
MTX exposure reduced thymus and spleen indices of mice. Methotrexate (≥5 mg/kg) markedly decreased white blood cells, thymic and splenic lymphocytes. Intraperitoneal injection with methotrexate for 3-4 wk increased splenocyte AICAR content, raised adenosine concentrations in exudates from carrageenan-inflamed air pouches, and markedly inhibited leukocyte accumulation in inflamed air pouches in mice. |
Other notes |
Please test the solubility of all compounds indoor, and the actual solubility may slightly differ with the theoretical value. This is caused by an experimental system error and it is normal. |
References: [1]. Genestier L, Paillot R, Fournel S, et al. Immunosuppressive properties of methotrexate: apoptosis and clonal deletion of activated peripheral T cells[J]. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1998, 102(2): 322. [2]. Gu S, Wu Y, Yang J. Screening of cytoprotectors against methotrexate-induced cytogenotoxicity from bioactive phytochemicals[J]. PeerJ, 2016, 4: e1983. [3]. Cronstein B N, Naime D, Ostad E. The antiinflammatory mechanism of methotrexate. Increased adenosine release at inflamed sites diminishes leukocyte accumulation in an in vivo model of inflammation[J]. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1993, 92(6): 2675. |
Quality Control & MSDS
- View current batch: