Meridianins, a new family of protein kinase inhibitors isolated from the ascidian Aplidium meridianum.

Meridianins are brominated 3-(2-aminopyrimidine)-indoles which are purified from Aplidium meridianum, an Ascidian from the South Atlantic (South Georgia Islands). We here show that meridianins inhibit various protein kinases such as cyclin-dependent kinases, glycogen synthase kinase-3, cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases and casein kinase 1. Meridianins prevent cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, a demonstration of their ability to enter cells and to interfere with the activity of kinases important for cell division and cell death.

Synthesis of 2-(pyrimidin-4-yl)indoles.

The synthesis of 2-substituted isomers of the meridianins, a familiy of bioactive indole alkaloids isolated from the tunicate Aplidium meridianum, was undertaken. The synthetic route comprises six steps, with a microwave promoted Fischer cyclization as the key reaction.