It is a small novel synthetic molecule/ compound, highly selective in its action, and can be used to inhibit the NAE. NAE is defined as the NEDD8 activating enzyme. Different studies showed that this small NEDD8 molecule plays an important role in the regulation of the activity of CRLs. These CLRs (cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases) are essential components of cancer biology as they control the turnover of different kinds of proteins.

KRN 7000, is also known as α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). It is a synthetic glycoprotein i.e., having chemically bonded carbohydrate and lipid part (specifically sphingolipid).Its structural formula is diagrammatically shown in Figure 1, while the different components of KRN 7000 are highlighted in the Figure 2. Keep in mind that both the structures in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are of KRN 7000.