Analytical Characterization of Aza-Indole Alkaloids in the Biosynthesis of Catharanthus Roseus
Aza-indoles are important pharmacophores that have similar size and biological properties of indole. Here we have synthesized 4- and 7-azaindole tryptamines and showed that they are successfully incorporated in the biosynthesis of monoterepene indole alkaloids (MIAs) to form novel azaindole alkaloids by enzymatic reactions of strictosidine synthase(STR) and strictosidine glucosidase(SDG) monitored by UPLC/MS. By using HPLC equipped with a HPLC photo diode array(PDA) detector, each of the UV spectra of azaindole alkaloids was obtained and characterized. When hydrophilicity of azaindole alkaloids was compared, 4-azaindole alkaloids were more hydrophilic than 7-azaindole alkaloids.