Brefeldin A (BFA)

Brefeldin A is a reversible inhibitor of protein transport. 

Following treatment with Brefeldin A, the Golgi complex disassembles and redistributes into the endoplasmic reticulum within minutes. Brefeldin A is a potent, rapid and reversible inhibitor of secretion.

Brefeldin A inhibits the GTPase exchange factor acting on the ARF protein. ARF activates ADP-ribosylation factors to the golgi complex.

Uses
Brefeldin A is widely used in studies of membrane trafficking. It increases intracellular cytokine staining signals and is commonly used for intracellular staining of cytokines for flow cytometry. It blocks transport processes during cell activation and causes an accumulation of cytokines at the golgi complex/ endoplasmic reticulum.

Brefeldin A also shows antibiotic actions and induces apoptosis and autophagy in mammalian cells. Recently, it has been shown to enhance CRISPR-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) in hiPSCs (human induced pluripotent stem cells).

Monensin sodium salt also available