Name: 2-Acetyl-5-tetrahydroxybutyl imidazole (THI)
SKU: B-0031
Price: 138 USD
Availability: InStock

THI is a trace component present in the industrially produced food colorant caramel color III. It acts as an immunosuppressant by inhibiting the enzyme sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) which fragments S1P to hexadecenal and phosphoethanolamine. Administration of THI in drinking water to mice (50 μg/mL) resulted in decreased S1PL activity, increased S1P levels in lymphoid tissues and reduced egress of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (lymphopenia).

Categories	Biochemical Reagents
Filter	Inhibitor, Sphingolipid
CAS Number	94944-70-4
Molecular Formula	C9H14N2O5
Molecular Weight (g/mol)	230.2
Purity	>95%
Storage	4 °C or below
Shipping Temp	Ambient Temperature

Technical Data Sheet

1) J. T. Bagdanoff, et al. “Inhibition of Sphingosine-1-phosphate Lyase for the Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders.” J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 3941-3953.
2) G.F. Houben, et al. “Effects of Ammonia Caramel and Tetrahydroxybutylimidazole on the Immune System of Rats.” Arch. Toxicol., 1989, 13, 183-187.
3) S.R. Schwab, et al. “Lymphocyte Sequestration Through S1P Lyase Inhibition and Disruption of S1P Gradients.” Science 2005, 309, 1735-1739.