Effects of side chain length of 10-methyl-aplog-1, a simplified analog of debromoaplysiatoxin, on PKC binding, anti-proliferative, and pro-inflammatory activities

10-Methyl-aplog-1 (1), a simplified analog of debromoaplysiatoxin, exhibits a high binding affinity for protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes and potent antiproliferative activity against several cancer cells with few adverse effects. A recent study has suggested that its phenol group in the side chain is involved in hydrogen bonding and CH/π interactions with the binding cleft-forming loops in the PKCδ-C1B domain. To clarify the effects of the side chain length on these interactions, four analogs of 1 with various lengths of side chains (2-5) were prepared. The maximal PKC binding affinity and antiproliferative activity were observed in 1. Remarkably, the introduction of a bromine atom into the phenol group of 2 increased not only these activities but also proinflammatory activity. These results indicated that 1 has the optimal side chain length as an anticancer seed. This conclusion was supported by docking simulations of 1-5 to the PKCδ-C1B domain.