4-hydroxy-6-methoxyaurones with high-affinity binding to cytosolic domain of P-glycoprotein

A series of 4-hydroxy-6-methoxyaurones and 4,6-dimethoxyaurones has been synthesised and tested for their binding affinity toward the nucleotide-binding domain of P-glycoprotein, an ABC (ATP-Binding Cassette) transporter which mediates the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. These compounds differ from each other by the nature of the substituent on the aurone B-ring. The binding affinity seems to be linked to the nature of the substituent, as well as to the presence or the absence of a hydroxy group at position 4. The most active compounds were 4'-bromo-4-hydroxy-6-methoxyaurone and 4-hydroxy-4'-iodo-6-methoxyaurone.