Synthesis and anti-cancer activity of C-ring-functionalized prodigiosin analogues

Prodigiosin is the parent member of the 4-methoxypyrrolyldipyrromethene family of natural products and is known for its anti-cancer activity. A new series of analogues was synthesized, incorporating pendent functional esters and beta-carbonyl substituents on the C-ring. The beta-carbonyl group allowed for the facile isolation of the prodigiosenes, and the pendent esters allow for further derivatization. The novel prodigiosenes generally retain the anti-cancer activity of prodigiosin in 60 human cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types, with neither the conjugated beta-carbonyl group, as either ketone or ester, nor the pendent ester significantly reducing the anti-cancer activity of the core skeleton.