SB 202190

SB 202190 is a potent p38 MAPK inhibitor. SB 202190 binds within the ATP pocket of the active kinase (Kd = 38 nM, as measured in recombinant human p38), and selectively inhibits the p38α and β isoforms (IC50 = 50 and 100 nM at SAPK2a/p38 and SAPK2b/p38β2 respectively). SB 202190 by itself was sufficient to induce cell death, with typical apoptotic features such as nucleus condensation and intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation. SB 202190 stimulated the activity of CPP32-like caspases, and its apoptotic effect was completely blocked by the expression of bcl-2. When tested at 10 μM, SB 202190 has negligible effects on a range of other kinases, including other MAP kinases (ERKs, JNKs). Recently, SB 202190 has been used to elucidate the roles of p38 MAP kinases in inflammatory cytokine expression, nicotine-induced receptor expression, and HIV-mediated depressive disorder.