Pyridine-Based 1,2,4-Triazolo-Tethered Indole Conjugates Potentially Affecting TNKS and PI3K in Colorectal Cancer

A library of pyridine-based 1,2,4-triazolo-tethered indole conjugates were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against a panel of six human cancer cell lines. All the synthesized conjugates (14a-q) were found to be effective against the HT-29 cell line. Particularly conjugates 14a, 14n, and 14q exhibited promising cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 1 mu M, 2.4 mu M, and 3.6 mu M, respectively, compared to the standard 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 5.31 mu M). Cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase was observed with these compounds, the mitochondrial membrane potential was interrupted, and the total ROS production was enhanced. Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments illustrated that these compounds inhibit the expression of markers that are involved in S-catenin and PI3K pathways. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that compound 14a has major hydrophobic interactions and few H-bonding interactions with both PI3K and tankyrase proteins.

Automated summary

A library of pyridine-based 1,2,4-triazolo-tethered indole conjugates were synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against six human cancer cell lines. The synthesized conjugates showed effective activity against the HT-29 cell line, with compounds 14a, 14n, and 14q exhibiting promising cytotoxicity. These compounds induced cell cycle arrest, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased ROS production. They also inhibited the expression of markers involved in S-catenin and PI3K pathways.