Propoxur

Description

Propoxur is a reversible, competitive, orally active AChE inhibitor that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Propoxur inhibits AChE activity to induce neurotoxicity, while promoting MMP-2 expression and enhancing tumor cell migration and invasion by inducing intracellular ROS generation and activating the ERK/Nrf2 signaling pathway. On the one hand, Propoxur inhibits AChE, leading to acetylcholine accumulation and causing neurological dysfunction; on the other hand, it promotes Nrf2 nuclear translocation through ROS-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and upregulates MMP-2 and other invasion-related proteins. Propoxur is also a carbamate insecticide used to combat turf, forestry, and household pests.