α,α-Trehalose 6-phosphate potassium

α,α-Trehalose 6-phosphate potassium (CAS No.: 136632-28-5) is a phosphorylated disaccharide derivative and endogenous metabolic intermediate that functions as a central regulatory molecule in carbohydrate metabolism, particularly in plants, fungi, and microorganisms. Biosynthetically generated from glucose-6-phosphate and uridine diphosphate glucose by trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, this compound serves as the immediate precursor of trehalose and is rapidly dephosphorylated by trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase. It acts as a key signaling metabolite that reflects cellular sucrose status and modulates energy and carbon flux, notably through inhibition of sucrose nonfermenting-1-related protein kinase 1, thereby influencing downstream pathways involved in starch biosynthesis, redox regulation, and growth control. In biochemical and plant science research, α,α-trehalose 6-phosphate potassium is widely employed as an analytical reference standard for metabolite quantification, including LC-MS-based assays, and as a tool compound to investigate sugar sensing and metabolic regulation networks. In vitro studies suggest activity in modulating enzymatic and signaling processes at low micromolar to millimolar concentrations, depending on the biological system and assay conditions. Its application extends to cell-based and organismal models to dissect carbohydrate signaling pathways and metabolic homeostasis, with experimental concentrations or dosing regimens varying according to specific study designs and objectives.