| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target | |
| Alternative names | MTU |
| CAS no. | |
| Applications | |
| Molecular weight | |
| Molecular formula | C5H6N2OS |
| Purity | |
| SMILES | |
| Form | Solid |
| Storage | |
| Shipping | |
| Catalog no. (Mfr.) | |
| Main SKU |
Compound Overview
Methylthiouracil, also known as MTU, is an antithyroid agent that suppresses production of TNF-α and IL-6 and inhibits activation of NF-κB and ERK1/2. It is supplied as a white to off-white solid (C5H6N2OS, MW 142.18) at 98.0% purity.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| CAS Number | 56-04-2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C5H6N2OS |
| Molecular Weight | 142.18 g/mol |
| Purity | 98.0% |
| Appearance | Solid |
| Color | White to off-white |
| SMILES | O=C(C=C(C)N1)NC1=S |
| Target | NF-κB, IL-6, ERK1, ERK2 |
| Signaling Pathway | NF-κB; Apoptosis; Immunology/Inflammation; MAPK/ERK Pathway; Stem Cell/Wnt |
| Solubility | In Vitro: DMSO: ≥ 50 mg/mL (351.67 mM; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO) * "≥" means soluble, but saturation unknown. |
| Storage | Powder: -20°C, 3 years; 4°C, 2 years. In solvent: -80°C, 2 years; -20°C, 1 year. |
| Shipping | Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere. |
Literature Cited
Sources cited in this description and in the In Vitro & In Vivo Data tab. Peer-reviewed publications that used this product are listed under References.
Safety
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, and not for human or veterinary use. Handle in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet and your institution's chemical hygiene plan.
In Vitro
| Solvent | Solubility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DMSO | ≥ 50 mg/mL (351.67 mM) | use freshly opened DMSO (absorbed moisture lowers solubility) |
Aliquot the stock solution and store it at -80°C (up to 2 years) or -20°C (up to 1 year); avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
In Vivo
Choose the formulation that suits the animal model and route of administration; percentages are volume ratios of the final working solution. Start from a clear DMSO stock (see In Vitro above), add the co-solvents one at a time in the order listed, mixing after each addition, and prepare the working solution fresh on the day of dosing. If precipitation or phase separation occurs, gentle warming or sonication can help.
Protocol 1
| Composition | 10% DMSO + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween-80 + 45% saline |
|---|---|
| Result | ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (17.58 mM); clear solution |
| How to prepare | Gives a clear solution at ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (saturation not determined). For 1 mL of working solution: add 100 μL DMSO stock (25.0 mg/mL) to 400 μL PEG300; then 50 μL Tween-80; then 450 μL saline to bring the volume to 1 mL. Saline: dissolve 0.9 g sodium chloride in ddH2O and make up to 100 mL. |
Protocol 2
| Composition | 10% DMSO + 90% Corn Oil |
|---|---|
| Result | ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (17.58 mM); clear solution |
| How to prepare | Gives a clear solution at ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (saturation not determined). Use with caution if continuous dosing will exceed two weeks. For 1 mL of working solution: add 100 μL DMSO stock (25.0 mg/mL) to 900 μL corn oil. |
Data provided by the manufacturer.
In Vitro
HUVECs are treated with MTU at various concentrations (0-20 μM) for 6 h after LPS (100 ng/mL) has been added for 4 h. MTU suppresses LPS-mediated endothelial hyperpermeability, with the best effect seen at concentrations above 5 μM. The effects of MTU on HUVEC actin cytoskeletal arrangement are examined by immunofluorescence staining of HUVEC monolayers with fluorescein phalloidin-labeled F-actin. Control HUVECs show randomly distributed F-actin throughout the cells, with some actin filament bundles localized at the cell boundaries. LPS (100 ng/mL) disrupts the barrier, shown by paracellular gap formation in HUVECs. Post-treatment with MTU (10 or 20 μM) also inhibits LPS-induced paracellular gap formation and leads to dense F-actin rings. To test MTU cytotoxicity, HUVECs are treated with MTU for 24 h and cellular viability is assayed. MTU does not affect cell viability at concentrations up to 20 μM[1].
Data provided by the manufacturer. Numbered citations refer to the Literature Cited list in the product description.
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