Streptozotocin
Streptozotocin (CAS 18883-66-4) is a naturally occurring nitrosourea antibiotic that acts primarily as a DNA alkylating agent. Streptozotocin is preferentially taken up into pancreatic beta-cells via the glucose transporter GLUT2, thereby producing selective cytotoxicity. This mechanism causes streptozotocin to induce apoptosis of beta-cells through DNA damage, ultimately leading to destruction of insulin-secreting cells.
In experimental studies, streptozotocin is commonly used to induce hyperglycemia and diabetes in a variety of animal models (especially rodents) through single or multiple dosing regimens. In isolated islet cells or relevant pancreatic cell lines, the cytotoxic IC50 of streptozotocin against pancreatic beta-cells has been determined. In addition, streptozotocin interferes with cellular metabolism through alkylation and may affect other tissues expressing the GLUT2 transporter, although its main target remains the islet cells.
In pharmaceutical and biomedical research, streptozotocin is widely used to establish experimental diabetes models, in order to study the pathogenesis of diabetes and to evaluate novel therapeutic agents aimed at controlling blood glucose, protecting beta-cells, or targeting diabetes-related complications.
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- 2. Hao Wang, Min Zhou, et al. "2A-biohydrogels accelerate diabetic wound healing by promoting M2 macrophage polarization and functionalized mitochondrial transfer to endothelial cells." Chemical Engineering Journal. Volume 514, 15 June 2025, 163130
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| Physical Appearance | A solid |
| Storage | Store at -20°C |
| M.Wt | 265.22 |
| Cas No. | 18883-66-4 |
| Formula | C8H15N3O7 |
| Synonyms | STZ; NSC-85998; Streptozocin; U 9889 |
| Solubility | ≥10.3 mg/mL in DMSO; ≥26.5 mg/mL in EtOH with gentle warming; ≥53.2 mg/mL in H2O |
| Chemical Name | 1-methyl-1-nitroso-3-[2,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]urea |
| Canonical SMILES | CN(C(N[C@H]([C@H]1O)[C@H](O)O[C@H](CO)[C@H]1O)=O)N=O |
| Shipping Condition | Small Molecules with Blue Ice, Modified Nucleotides with Dry Ice. |
| General tips | We do not recommend long-term storage for the solution, please use it up soon. |
| Cell experiment:[1] | |
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Cell lines |
A murine pancreatic β cell line, INS-1 |
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Reaction Conditions |
15 or 30 mM streptozocin for 1 h incubation |
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Applications |
Higher rates of apoptosis, as compared to necrosis, were observed when cells were exposed to 15 mM streptozocin for 1 h followed by a 24 h recovery period. Higher doses of streptozocin (30 mM) caused the cells to undergo necrosis (22%) as well as apoptosis (17%). Streptozotocin at low doses induced apoptosis and at high doses caused necrosis in INS-1 cells. |
| Animal experiment:[2] | |
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Animal models |
Male adult Holtzman rats |
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Dosage form |
50, 65 or 100 mg/kg A single intravenous injection |
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Applications |
Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) resulted in rapid degranulation of β cells, accumulation of glycogen in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney, as well as development of cataracts in 4 months after streptozotocin treatment. At a higher dose of 100 mg/kg, streptozotocin produced lesions in the exocrine cells of the pancreas, and led to persistence of small, possibly secretory, granules in the Golgi zone of β cells in diabetic rats. Streptozotocin is often used to induce diabetes mellitus in experimental animals. |
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Note |
The technical data provided above is for reference only. |
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References: 1. Saini KS, Thompson C, Winterford CM, et al. Streptozotocin at low doses induces apoptosis and at high doses causes necrosis in a murine pancreatic beta cell line, INS-1. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International, 1996, 39(6): 1229-1236. 2. Arison RN, Ciaccio EI, Glitzer MS, et al. Light and electron microscopy of lesions in rats rendered diabetic with streptozotocin. Diabetes, 1967, 16(1): 51-56. |
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