N-Substituted Indole-2 and 3-Carboxamide Derivatives as Inhibitors of Human Protein Kinase CK2: In Vitro Assay and Molecular Modelling Study

Protein kinase CK2 (Casein Kinase 2) is involved in cell growth; proliferation and suppression of apoptosis. Hence, it strongly promotes cell survival and can be considered an important target for human cancers. In the present study, a series of N-substituted indole-2- and 3-carboxamide derivatives were tested for inhibitions of human recombinant protein kinase CK2 to evaluate their anticancer properties. The inhibition test revealed that the most active compound 4 (1-benzyl-N-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide) showed an IC50 value of 14.6 mu M towards human protein kinase CK2. A molecular docking study of the compounds with CK2 was performed and revealed the binding mode of the most active compound 4, underlying its inhibitory activity.