Biochemistry Insights

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of ester-linked 2-phenylindole-3-carboxaldehyde-glucose conjugate (2-phenylindole-3-carboxyl-10˝-O-β-D-glucosyl ester) was achieved by using plant cell cultures as biocatalysts. The anticancer agent, 2-phenylindole-3-carboxaldehyde, induced apoptosis in cells, whereas 2-phenylindole-3-carboxyl-10˝-O-β-D-glucosyl ester showed no cytotoxicity and induced no apoptosis.