Thioalkyl Derivatives of Vitamin K3 and Vitamin K3 Oxide Inhibit Growth of Hep3B and HepG2 Cells

A new hypothesis regarding the effect of vitamin K3 On hepatoma cell growth is presented. In brief, exploration of cell growth activity has been identified with the action of p34cdc2 kinase and its associated protein tyrosine phosphatase. After exploring a series of substituted derivatives of vitamin K and vitamin K3 oxide, we suggest a mechanism involving alkylation at the active-site cysteine for the inhibition of the protein tyrosine phosphatase which controls the activity of the p34cdc2 kinase.