Research Area: Immunology
Biological Activity:
Mycophenolic acid (mycophenolate) is an immunosuppressant agent used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation. Mycophenolic acid (mycophenolate) is derived from the fungus Penicillium stoloniferum. Mycophenolate mofetil is metabolised in the liver to the active moiety mycophenolic acid. Mycophenolic acid (mycophenolate) inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that controls the rate of synthesis of guanine monophosphate in the de novo pathway of purine synthesis used in the proliferation of B and T lymphocytes. [1] Mycophenolic acid (mycophenolate) is potent and can be used in place of the older anti-proliferative azathioprine. Mycophenolic acid (mycophenolate) is usually used as part of a three-compound regimen of immunosuppressants, also including a calcineurin inhibitor (ciclosporin or tacrolimus) and prednisolone. [2]