Forskolin

Forskolin is a cell permeable diterpene that directly activates adenylyl cyclase (IC₅₀ = 41 nM), resulting in higher levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the cell. Cyclic AMP is a second messenger, often exerting its effects via PKA. (Awad et al., Robbins et al.)

REPROGRAMMING

• Enables chemical reprogramming (without genetic factors) of mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, in combination with CHIR99021, Tranylcypromine, Valproic Acid, 3-Deazaneplanocin A, and RepSox (Hou et al.).
• Enables NGN2-mediated transdifferentiation of human fibroblasts to cholinergic neurons (Liu et al.).
• Direct lineage reprogramming of fibroblasts to mature neurons, in combination with RepSox, CHIR99021, SP600125, Valproic Acid, Gö6983 and Y-27632 (Hu et al.).
• Direct lineage reprogramming of fibroblasts to mature neurons, in combination with CHIR99021, ISX-9, SB431542, and I-BET151 (Li et al.).
• Converts human embryonic stem (ES) cells in a ""naí¯ve"" or ground state similar to mouse ES cells, in combination with LIF, FGF2, TGFβ and small molecules PD0325901, CHIR99021, SP600125, and SB203580 (Hanna et al.).

DIFFERENTIATION

• Potentiates neuronal differentiation of rat hippocampal neural progenitor cells (Hsieh et al., Palmer et al.).