Photocontrolled Eg5 inhibitor of mitotic kinesin Eg5 composed of azobenzne and spiropyran derivatives

Abstract

Kinesin Eg5 is one of the kinesin super family and has physiologically important roles. During eukaryotic cell division, it aids in the development of a bipolar spindle. Eg5 has been found to be overexpressed in cancer cells to accelerate mitosis. Therefore, kinesin Eg5 is the target of cancer therapy. Small chemical compounds which inhibit Eg5 have been developed as an anti-cancer drug. Surprisingly, these inhibitors bind to the same pocket of Eg5 composed of α2, α3, and loop5. The structure of these inhibitors, however, is not conserved.