Swainsonine | Glycosidase inhibitor

Swainsonine (72741-87-8) is a naturally occurring alkaloidal toxin found in locoweed. Inhibits the biosynthesis of complex glycoproteins by inhibition of Golgi mannosidase II (IC₅₀ = 0.2 mM).¹ Inhibits growth and potentiates the cytotoxic effect of taxol in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.² Induces apoptosis in a variety of cell types including cerebral cortical neurons.³ Impairs adult neurogenesis and spatial learning and memory.⁴  Abrogation of complex glycosylation by swainsonine results in strain-and cell-specific inhibition of prion replication.⁵ Induces lysosomal storage disease in farm animals.⁶

References/Citations:

1) Tulsiani et al. (1985), Marked differences in the swainsonine inhibition of rat liver lysomal alpha-D-mannosidase, rat liver Golgi mannosidase II, and jack bean alpha-D-mannosidase; Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 236 427
2) You et al. (2012), Swainsonine inhibits growth and potentiates the cytotoxic effect of paclitaxel in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo; Oncol. Rep., 28 2091
3) Lu et al. (2015), Swainsonine-induced apoptosis pathway in cerebral cortical neurons; Res. Vet. Sci., 102 34
4) Wang et al. (2015), Exposure to swainsonine impairs adult neurogenesis and spatial learning and memory; Toxicol. Lett., 232 263
5) Browning et al. (2011), Abrogation of complex glycosylation by swainsonine results in strain- and cell-specific inhibition of prion replication; J. Biol. Chem., 286 40962
6) Dantas et al. (2007), Swainsonine-induced lysosomal storage disease in goats caused by the ingestion of Turbina cordata in Northeastern Brazil; Toxicon, 49 111