Methods of modulating serine/threonine protein kinase function with azabenzimidazole-based compounds

An azabenzimidazole compound having a structure set forth in formula I:

• wherein,
• (a) R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) unsaturated alkyl;
• (ii) —NX2X3, where X2 and X3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, saturated alkyl, unsaturated alkyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties;
• (iii) halogen or trihalomethyl;
• (iv) a ketone of formula —CO—X4, where X4, is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties;
• (v) a carboxylic arid of formula —(X5)n—COOH or ester of formula —(X6)n—COO—X7, wherein X5, X6, and X7, and are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties, and wherein n is 0 or 1;
• (vi) an alcohol of formula (X8)n—OH or an alkoxy moiety of formula —(X8)n—O—X9, wherein X8 and X9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, saturated alkyl, unsaturated alkyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties, and wherein the ring is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate, nitro, and ester, and wherein n is 0 or 1;
• (vii) an amide of formula —NHCOX10, wherein X10 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties, and wherein the ring is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate, nitro, and ester;
• (viii) —SO2NX11X12, wherein X11 and X12 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties;
• (ix) a homocyclic or heterocyclic ring moiety optionally substituted with one, two, or three substituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate, nitro, and ester moieties;
• (x) an aldehyde of formula —CO—H;
• and
• (xi) a sulfone of formula —SO2—X13, where X13 is selected from the group consisting of saturated alkyl, unsaturated alkyl, homocyclic ring moieties, and heterocyclic ring moieties;
• (b) Z1 and Z2 are NH;
• and
• (c) X1 is independently selected from the group consisting of NH, sulfur, and oxygen.