Members of the Pim kinase family have been identified as promising targets for the development of antitumor agents. After a screening of pyrrolo[2,3-a]- and [3,2-a]carbazole derivatives toward 66 protein kinases, we identified pyrrolo[2,3-a]carbazole as a new scaffold to design potent Pim kinase inhibitors. In particular, compound 9 was identified as a low nM selective Pim inhibitor. Additionally, several pyrrolo[2,3-a]carbazole derivatives showed selectivity for Pim-1 and Pim-3 over Pim-2. In vitro antiproliferative activities of 9 and 28, the most potent Pim inhibitors identified, were evaluated toward three human solid cancer cell lines (PA1, PC3, and DU145) and one human fibroblast primary culture, revealing IC50 values in the micromolar range. Finally, the crystal structure of Pim-1 complexed with lead compound 9 was determined. The structure revealed a non-ATP mimetic binding mode with no hydrogen bonds formed with the kinase hinge region and explained the selectivity of pyrrolo[2,3-a]carbazole derivatives for Pim kinases.

The synthesis of new meridianin derivatives substituted at the C-5 position of the 2-aminopyrimidine ring by various aryl groups and substituted or not by a methyl group on the indole nitrogen is described. These compounds were tested for their kinase inhibitory potencies toward five kinases (CDK5/p25, CK1delta/epsilon, GSK-3alpha/beta, Dyrk1A and Erk2) as well as their in vitro antiproliferative activities toward a human fibroblast primary culture and two human solid cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and PA 1).

1-Cyanobenzotriazole is a convenient source of NC + for C-cyanation with in situ-generated sp 3 and sp 2 carbanions providing α-cyano-sulfones, -ketones, -alkanecarboxylate esters, -cyanides, -alkylheterocycles, -diarylmethanes and heterylcarbonitriles in good to high yields (55-78%).

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