Synthesis and Anti-cancer Activity of Indirubin Derivatives as the CDK Inhibitors

The cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), a group of serine/threonine kinases that form active heterodimeric complexes binding to cyclins, are key regulators of the cell cycle. The role of cyclin dependent kinases(CDKs) in cell cycle regulation has stimulated an interest in them as potential targets for proliferative diseases such as cancer, psoriasis, and chemotherapeutic agent-induced alopecia. Indirubin, an active ingredient of a traditional Chinese recipe Danggui Longhui Wan, are potent CDK inhibitors competing with ATP for binding to the catalytic site of the CDKs. (omitted)