Thalidomide has been used to study its teratogenic effects in chicken embryos and human embryonic cells. This study reported that thalidomide causes limb defects by stabilizing PTEN, inhibiting the expression of Akt and activating caspase-dependent apoptosis. Thalidomide has also been used for studying glutathione mediated teratogenic resistance in mouse embryos.
Optically active isomer of Thalidomide, which inhibits FGF-induced angiogenesis. Inhibits replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Teratogenic sedative.
ChEBI: A 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione that has R-configuration at the chiral centre.
(-)-Thalidomide selectively inhibits biosynthesis of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). (R)-Thalidomide is called "safe enantiomer", but it can be converted in the body to (S)-isomer.
