Sodium orthovanadate

Sodium orthovanadate is an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases and a number of ATPases, most likely acting as a phosphate analogue. The VO₄^3- ion binds irreversibly to the active sites of most protein tyrosine phosphatases.

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It is often added to buffer solutions that are used in protein analysis in molecular biology. The aim is to preserve the phosphorylation of proteins of interest by inhibiting endogenous phosphatases present in cell lysate mixture. It is commonly used at a final concentration of 10 - 100mM. It is toxic when inhaled, swallowed or in contact with skin.

References

Swarup, G. et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 107: 1104-1109 (1982).

See also

• Sodium metavanadate