ML216 has been used in cell proliferation assays.

ML216 is a 4-F-phenyl analog. It blocks cell proliferation of BLM-proficient fibroblast cells (PSNF5) and shows very less effects on BLM-deficient fibroblast cells (PSNG13).

ML216 is a membrane permeable selective inhibitor of Bloom (BLM) helicase, a member of the RecQ DNA helicase family. Bloom′s syndrome, caused by a mutation in BLM, is associated with susceptibility to cancer, growth retardation, immunodeficiency, sunlight sensitivity, and fertility defects. ML216 is selective for BLM over other members of the RecQ family, especially in vivo, and appears to act at the BLM-nucleic acid substrate binding site, inhibiting DNA binding and blocking BLM′s helicase activity. ML216 could be useful in studies of tumor cells depending on the ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) mechanism for telomere maintenance rather than on telomerase, which are proposed to be susceptible to BLM inhibition.

ML216 is a membrane permeable selective inhibitor of Bloom (BLM) helicase.