Structure-activity relationship of pyrazolo pyrimidine derivatives as inhibitors of mitotic kinesin Eg5 and anticancer agents

Human kinesin Eg5 is a potential inhibiting site for cancer chemotherapy. Blocking metaphase by binding foreign inhibitors with Eg5 eventually leads to apoptotic cell death. Here, we report the pyrazolopyrimidine derivates as potent inhibitors of Eg5 that prevents mitotic kinesin progression. IC50 values were evaluated against the motor domain of Eg5 using steady-state ATPase assay. To better understanding, we have performed molecular docking simulation. It reveals that the interactions of the proposed inhibitors with both the allosteric sites (helices alpha 2, alpha 3 and loopL5, and helices alpha 4 & alpha 6). Out of fifteen pyrazolopyrimidine derivates, three compounds (12, 25, and 27) have shown significant inhibition of Eg5. The synthesized compounds (12, 25, and 27) were tested for their in-vitro anticancer activity against cervical cancer cell line (HeLa).