Background information
StemMACS™ SB431542 is a potent inhibitor of the TGF-β, Activin and Nodal signaling pathway. SB431542 inhibits the activin receptor like kinases ALK4, ALK5, and ALK7 thereby preventing the phorphorylation of their downstream targets SMAD2 and SMAD3. The inhibition is selective and does not affect BMP signaling via the related kinases ALK1, ALK2, ALK3, and ALK6. In pluripotent stem cell research, SB431542 is used in combination with other small molecules to improve reprogramming and induce differentiation, e.g., into neural lineages.
Downstream applications
Published applications for SB431542 include:
- Differentiation of human ES and iPS cells into neural progenitors (in combination with LDN-1931891 or Noggin2)
- Increase of reprogramming efficiency in combination with PD0325901 and Thiazovivin3
