An allosteric phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) activator (Kd = 10.3 μM). Binds exclusively to the PIF-binding pocket of PDK1, distinct from the ATP binding site. It has recently been found that a combination of PS48, sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor and the gene Oct-4, could enhance the reprogramming efficiency of keratinocytes isolated from human skin or hair follicles over 25-fold.