CGK733 fraud explained

CGK733 was a synthetic chemical substance which was reported in 2006 to have remarkable properties in reversing cell senescence (aging).^[1] However, the entire work behind the discovery of this compound has since been found to be falsified and the authors of the original reports have retracted all their claims.^{[2] [3]}

CGK733 was claimed to be an inhibitor of ATM/ATR kinases,^{[4] [5]} which are involved in DNA damage repair. CGK was claimed to extend the lifetime of cultured cells by approximately 20 divisions, or roughly 25%, specifically in mammalian cells.

The original report garnered scientific attention,^[6] but was retracted in 2008.^[7] The retraction states that the screen to identify CGK733 as an anti-senescence agent was not carried out; experiments exploring the cellular effects of CGK733 were misrepresented; the identification of ATM as the target of CGK733 was fabricated; a compound which was essential for ATM target validation had not been synthesized; and the chemical structure of CGK733 was misrepresented.^[7]

The principal investigator, Tae Kook Kim, and several associates were consequently suspended from their positions at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Won J, Kim M, Kim N, Ahn JH, Lee WG, Kim SS, Chang KY, Yi YW, Kim TK . Small molecule-based reversible reprogramming of cellular lifespan . Nat. Chem. Biol. . 2 . 7 . 369–74 . July 2006 . 16767085 . 10.1038/nchembio800. 85372472 .
2. South Korean researcher suspended over charges of scientific misconduct. Science Now. March 5, 2008. Dennis Normile. Jennifer Couzin. 2008-03-17. 2008-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20080309144425/http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/305/1. dead.
3. Web site: Data Duping. Chemical & Engineering News. 2008. Kenneth J. Moore. 2008-04-01.
4. Bhattacharya S, Ray RM, Johnson LR . Role of polyamines in p53-dependent apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells . Cell. Signal. . 21. 4. 509–22. December 2008 . 19136059 . 10.1016/j.cellsig.2008.12.003 .
5. Crescenzi E, Palumbo G, de Boer J, Brady HJ . Ataxia telangiectasia mutated and p21CIP1 modulate cell survival of drug-induced senescent tumor cells: implications for chemotherapy . Clin. Cancer Res. . 14 . 6 . 1877–87 . March 2008 . 18347191 . 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-07-4298 . free .
6. Web site: Aging Cells Get New Lease On Life - Small molecule is found to extend lifetime of mammalian cells. Chemical & Engineering News. 2006. Sarah Everts. 2007-03-09.
7. Won J, Kim M, Kim N . Retraction: small molecule-based reversible reprogramming of cellular lifespan . Nat. Chem. Biol. . 4 . 7 . 431 . July 2008 . 18560433 . 10.1038/nchembio0708-431. etal. free .