TPEN (CAS 16858-02-9)

TPEN is a cell permeable, high-affinity heavy metal (Zn²⁺>Fe²⁺>Mn²⁺) chelator that exhibits low affinity for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺. The compound is lipid-soluble and has been shown to permeate artificial and natural membranes. Research shows that TPEN induces apoptosis in human and rat thymocytes through DNA fragmentation and Caspace-3 activation. TPEN also induces mitochondrial cytochrome C translocation to the cytosol in human PBL. A recent study has proved this chelator to work in conjunction with the fluorescent probe Fura-2 (sc-202163) in biophysical studies of Ca²⁺.