SUN11602

SUN11602 (CAS No.: 704869-38-5) is a synthetic aniline-derived small molecule that functions as a mimetic of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF2), positioning it as a valuable tool compound in neurobiology and neurodegenerative disease research. It reproduces key neuroprotective mechanisms of FGF signaling by activating fibroblast growth factor receptors and downstream pathways, including phosphorylation of FGFR and ERK1/2, and by upregulating the expression of calcium-binding proteins such as calbindin (CALB1), which are associated with neuronal survival under stress conditions. In vitro, SUN11602 exhibits neuroprotective activity in the low micromolar range, effectively attenuating glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in primary cortical neurons and promoting neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons, indicating a role in neuronal differentiation and maintenance. Its activity is modulated through FGFR-dependent signaling, as evidenced by reversal of effects with FGFR inhibition. In vivo, it has demonstrated the ability to ameliorate cognitive impairments in rodent models of neurodegeneration, including those induced by amyloid-β or excitotoxic lesions, supporting its relevance for studying mechanisms of neuronal injury and repair. SUN11602 is therefore widely applied in cellular and animal models to investigate neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, and growth factor signaling, with experimental concentrations or dosing regimens tailored to specific study designs in drug discovery and translational neuroscience contexts.