Abstract

An ecofriendly, inexpensive, and efficient route for synthesizing 3,3′-bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) and their derivatives was carried out by an electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with structurally divergent aldehydes and ketones using taurine and water as a green catalyst and solvent, respectively, under sonication conditions. Using water as the only solvent, the catalytic process demonstrated outstanding activity, productivity, and broad functional group tolerance, affording the required BIM natural products and derivatives in excellent yields (59–90%). Furthermore, in silico based structure activity analysis of the synthesized BIM derivatives divulges their potential ability to bind antineoplastic drug target and spindle motor protein kinesin Eg5. The precise binding mode of BIM derivatives with the ATPase motor domain of Eg5 is structurally reminiscent with previously reported allosteric inhibitor Arry520, which is under phase III clinical trials. Nevertheless, detailed analysis of the binding poses indicates that BIM derivatives bind the allosteric pocket of the Eg5 motor domain more robustly than Arry520; moreover, unlike Arry520, BIM binding is found to be resistant to drug-resistant mutations of Eg5. Accordingly, a structure-guided mechanism of Eg5 inhibition by synthesized BIM derivatives is proposed.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.