Parallel synthesis and evaluation of 132 (+)-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]benz[e]indol-4-one (CBI) analogues of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins defining the contribution of the DNA-binding domain

The solution-phase, parallel synthesis and evaluation of a library of 132 (+)-1,2,9,9a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]benz[e]indol-4-one (CBI) analogues of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins containing dimeric monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic heteroaromatic replacements for the DNA-binding domain are described. This systematic study revealed clear trends in the structural requirements for observation of potent cytotoxic activity and DNA alkylation efficiency, the range of which spans a magnitude of > or =10 000-fold. Combined with related studies, these results highlight that the role of the DNA-binding domain goes beyond simply providing DNA-binding selectivity and affinity (10-100-fold enhancement in properties), consistent with the proposal that it contributes significantly to catalysis of the DNA alkylation reaction accounting for as much as an additional 1000-fold enhancement in properties.