Retro-2

Retro-2 is a selective inhibitor of retrograde protein trafficking at the endosome-trans-Golgi network interface. Retro-2 is an ebolavirus (EBOV) infection inhibitor with an EC₅₀ of 12.2 µM in HeLa cells. Retro-2 induces cell autophagy^[1][2][3]. IC50 & Target: EC50: 12.2 µM (Ebolavirus)^[3] In Vitro: Retro-2 (1 μM; 1-4 hours) induces autophagy in GFP-LC3-expressing HeLa cells and promoted the dramatic cytoplasmic accumulation of large autophagosomes^[2].
Retro-2 (1 μM; 0.5-4 hours) treatment hows an increase over time of the abundance of LC3-II protein in cells^[2].
Retro-2 impairs the trafficking between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Retro-2 abolishes autolysosomes formation^[2].
Retro-2 (20 μM; pretreatment for 30 min) inhibits HeLa cell intoxication by ricin, Shiga-like toxins 1 (Stx1) and 2 (Stx2)^[1].
Retro-2 blocked invasion of cells by the intracellular parasite Leishmania, as well as replication of non-enveloped viruses, including polyoma-, papilloma-, and adeno-associated viruses^[3]. In Vivo: Retro-2 (2-200 mg/kg; i.p; daily; for 21 days) treatment clearly protects from lethal nasal exposure to ricin in mice. 200 mg/kg of Retro-2 fully protects mice against ricin challenge^[1].