Ten synthetic analogs of the marine alkaloids tambjamines, bearing aromatic enamine moieties, have
been synthesized. These compounds proved to be highly efficient transmembrane anion transporters in
model liposomes. Changes in the electronic nature of the substituents of the aromatic enamine or the
alkoxy group of the central pyrrole group did not affect this anionophore activity. The in vitro activity of
these compounds has also been studied. They trigger apoptosis in several cancer cell lines with IC50
values in the low micromolar range as well as modify the intracellular pH, inducing the basification of
acidic organelles.
