ABSTRACT
AIM:To search for the potent telomerase inhibitors with structures of cationic porphyrins to improve the interactions between G-quadruplex and porphyrins by systematically varying the meso substituents.METHODS:Porphyrins bearing mixed 3-quinolyl/4-pyridyl meso groups were synthesized using the Adler-Longo method by condensation of aldehydes with pyrrole,and then followed by methylation and ion exchange.The compounds were tested for the telomerase inhibitory activity and c-Myc inhibitory activity.RESULTS:All compounds were found to be potent and approximately equivalent in terms of their ability to inhibit the action of telomerase in a cell-free assay.Compound 4 had the best inhibitory activity on c-Myc.CONCLUSION:Cationic porphyrins would be the potential anticancer candidates.