Kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitors with 2,3-fused indole scaffolds.

Mitotic kinesin spindle protein (KSP) is involved in the assembly of the bipolar spindle during cell division. On the basis of a common 2,3-fused indole substructure within the complex frameworks of terpendole E and other KSP inhibitors, the carbazoles with a bulky alkyl group were identified as a novel KSP inhibitory scaffold. Additionally, among several naturally occurring cell growth inhibitors with 2,3-fused indole structures, beta-carboline alkaloids, harman and harmine, showed moderate inhibition of KSP.