Synthesis of the 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy and 2′-,3′-Dideoxy Derivatives of 6-Azauridine and a New Route to 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine

Abstract

The 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) and 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine and 2′,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-5-chlorouridine were synthesized from the parent nucleosides by reaction with 4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, respectively, followed by treatment with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole. Introduction of a 2′-,3′-double bond into the sugar ring by reaction of the 5′-protected 2′-,3′-O-thionocarbonates with 1, 3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1, 3, 2-diazaphospholidiine was unsuccessful, but could be accomplished satisfactorily with trimethyl phosphite. Reactions were generally more successful with the 5′-silylated than with the 5′-tritylated nucleosides. Formation of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl derivatives proceeded in higher yield with 5′-protected 6-azauridines than with the corresponding 5-chlorouridines because of the propensity of the latter to form 2,2′-anhydro derivatives. In the reaction of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine with trimethyl phosphite, introduction of the double bond was accompanied by N³-methylation. However this side reaction was not a problem with 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-O-thioarbonyl-5-chlorouridine. Treatment of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by hydrogenation afforded 2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine. Deprotection of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine yielded 2′-,3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dide-oxy-5-chlorouridine.     

Synthesis of 3′-Thioribouridine, 3′-Thioribocytidine,and Their Phosphoramidites

Abstract

3′-Thio-3′-deoxyribonucleosides (U and C) have been synthesized via Vorbruggen-type glycosylation with 3-S-benzoyl-5-O-toluoyl-1,2-O-diacetylfuranose, which was obtained from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-toluoyl-3-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-α-D-xylofuranose. 3′-Thio-3′-deoxyuridine has been converted to its phosphoramidite.     

Preparation,Hydrolysis and Intramolecular Transesterification of 3′-Deoxy-3′-thioinosine 3′-S-Dimethylphosphorothiolate

Abstract

The hydrolytic reactions of the dimethyl ester of 3′-deoxy-3′-thioinosine 3′-S-phosphorothiolate have been followed over a wide aciditty range by HPLC. At pH > 3, only hydroxide ion catalyzed isomerization to the 2′-dimethylphosphate takes place, whereas under more acidic conditions hydrolysis to the 2′-monomethylphosphate and 3′-S-monomethylphosphorothiolate competes. The latter is the only product accumulating in very acidic solutions (1 M hydrochloric acid). Mechanisms of the reactions are discussed.     

3′-3′,3′-5′ and 5′-5′ TpT-Amides: Synthesis,Characterization and Alkaline Hydrolysis

Abstract

A simple procedure is described for the preparation of the title compounds 1, 8 and 9. 3′-3′ or 3′-5′ or 5′-5′ TpT was reacted with a twofold molar excess of TPS in anhydrous DMF, at room temperature, for 5 min, followed by a 1 min in situ treatment of the reaction mixture with excess 7.0 N NH₄OH, at 0°C. The alkaline hydrolysis of 1, 8 and 9 proceeds without the assistance of 3′- and 5′-hydroxyl groups resulting in equimolar mixtures of thymidine (4) and thymidine 3′-phosphoramidate (6) (for the 3′-3′ isomer) or thymidine 5′-phosphoramidate (7) (for the 5′-5′ isomer) or 6 and 7 in equal quantities (for the 3′-5′ isomer).     

Synthesis of 3′-N-Substituted 3′-Amino-3′-Deoxythymidine Derivatives

Abstract

A series of 3′-N-substituted 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine derivatives with alkyl, alkenyl and alkylaryl substituents was synthesized by two methods. The first method involved the reaction of 1-(2,3-dideoxy-3-0-mesyl-5-0-trityl-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine with an appropriate amine. In the second method, 3′-amino-5′-0-trityl-3′-deoxy-thymidine served as a synthetic precursor which was reacted with an appropiate aldehyde or ketone followed by sodium borohydride reduction. An improved synthesis of 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine from 3′ -azido-5′-0-trityl-3′-deoxythymidine using sodium borohydride was also described.     

Synthesis of 3′-Amino-3′-deoxyguanosine 5′-Triphosphate

Abstract

Phosphorylation of 2′-0-acetyl-3′-trifluoroacetamido-3′-deoxy-N²-palmitoylguanosine with N-morpholino-O, O-bis(1-benzotriazolyl)phos-phate gives a 5′-phosphotriester. Removal of the benzotriazolyl group and addition of pyrophosphoric acid gave, after deblocking all protecting groups, GTP(3′NH₂).     

Facile synthesis of 2′,5′-dideoxy-, 2′,3′-dideoxy- and 3′-deoxy-1,N 6-ethenoadenosine nucleosides

Facile synthetic methods of 2′,5′-dideoxy-, 2′,3′-dideoxy- and 3′-deoxy-1,N ⁶-ethenoadenosine nucleosides by either an enzymatic dideoxyribosyl transfer reaction or a simple chemical reaction were proposed. The synthetic products were isolated and purified by preparative HPLC and their structures were confirmed by¹H NMR (500 MHz) and FAB-MS including high resolution mass measurement. These modified nucleoside analogs have not been reported yet. Therefore, these modified nucleoside analogs are of potential value to be studied further for biological activity such as anticancer or antiviral.     

Conformationally Locked Nucleosides. Synthesis of Oligodeoxynucleotides Containing 3′-Amino-3′-deoxy-3′-N,5′(R)-C-ethylenethymidine

Abstract

3′-Amino-3′-deoxy-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-3′-N,5′(R)-C-ethylenethymidine (6) was synthesized starting from 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine. Condensation of 6 with 5′-O-(H-phosphonyl)thymidine and 5′-O-(p-nitrophenoxycarbonyl)thymidine derivatives gave dinucleotide and dinucleoside derivatives, respectively, which were incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). Tm data of the modified ODNs are also presented.     

Syntheses and antitumor activities of N′1,N′3-dialkyl-N′1,N′3-di-(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazide: The discovery of elesclomol

A series of N′¹,N′³-dialkyl-N′¹,N′³-di(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazides have been designed and synthesized as anticancer agents by targeting oxidative stress and Hsp70 induction. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies lead to the discovery of STA-4783 (elesclomol), a novel small molecule that has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials as an anticancer agent in combination with Taxol.     

Synthesis and Anti-Retroviral Activity of O,O′-BIS(3′-Azido-2′,3′-Dideoxythymidin-5′-yl) Phosphoramidate Derivatives

Abstract

A simple and efficient protocol for the preparation of various symmetrical dinucleoside phosphoramidates derived from AZT, is presented. It consists of the phosphonylation of AZT with phosphonic acid in the presence of DCC to produce the symmetrical H-phosphonate diester, followed by its oxidative conversion to various phosphoramidate analogues. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity in different cell cultures.     

Synthesis of Some 2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-C-Fluoromethyl and 3′-C-Azidomethyl Nucleosides

Abstract

The synthesis of 3′-C-fluoromethyl and 3′-C-azidomethyl nucleosides is reported. The 3′-C-fluoromethyl furanoside 4 was synthesized via fluoride ion induced displacement of the corresponding trifluoromethanesulfonate. The 3′-C-hydroxymethyl furanoside 3 was converted to the corresponding 3′-C-azidomethyl furanoside 6 using triphenylphosphine-carbon tetrabromide-lithium azide. The 3′-C-fluoromethyl furanoside derivative 5 and the 3′-C-azidomethyl furanoside derivative 7 were subsequently condensed with silylated purine and pyrimidine bases. Deblocking and separation of the anomers by chromatography afforded the α- and β-nucleoside analogues. The nucleosides were tested for inhibition of HIV multiplication in vitro and were found to be inactive in the assay.     

Synthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′-carboxymethylnucleosides,precursors of oligonucleotides with an amide internucleoside bond

An improved method for the synthesis of 3-deoxy-3-carboxymethyl nucleosides was suggested. Oxidation of 5-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-xylofuranose resulted in the 3-keto derivative, which was treated with triethylphosphonoacetate in the presence of sodium hydride to obtain the 3-deoxy-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylene derivative. Hydrogenation of the unsaturated compound proceeded strictly stereospecifically and gave the product with the ribo-configuration. Acetolysis of the resulting compound with AcOH-Ac₂O-CH₃SO₃H led to 1,2-di-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-3-deoxy-3-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-D-ribofuranose, whose interaction with persilylated nucleic bases gave 3-deoxy-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylnucleosides in a total yield of 42–49% from the starting compound.     

PREPARATION OF 3′-C-BRANCHED URIDINE ANALOGUES,SUITABLE FOR CONVERSION INTO FUNCTIONALISED 3′-C-METHYLENE DERIVATIVES

A novel method for preparation of 1-[2-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3-deoxy-3-C-hydroxymethyl-5-O-monomethoxytrityl-β-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl]uracil by hydroboration of corresponding 3′-deoxy-3′-C-methyleneuridine derivative has been developed. Further conversion of the hydroxyl function into different leaving groups was carried out to afford derivatives suitable for conversion into various 3′-C-branched uridine analogues through substitution.     

3′-AZIDO-3′-DEOXY-5′-O-ISONICOTINOYLTHYMIDINE,A NEW PRODRUG OF ZIDOVUDINE. SYNTHESIS,SOLID STATE CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTI HIV-1 ACTIVITY

ABSTRACT

Synthesis, solid state characterization and anti HIV-1 activity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-isonicotinoylthymidine (2), a new prodrug of zidovudine (AZT, 1), are described. Two solid forms of 2 prepared by crystallization from ethyl acetate-petroleum ether (form α) and from a melt sample of form α (amorphous form) were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA) techniques. The novel nucleoside exhibited antiviral activity against standard and resistant strain panels of HIV-1 as well as cytotoxicity similar to that of AZT.     

V-cGAPs: attenuators of 3′3′-cGAMP signaling

Cyclic GMP-AMPs (cGAMPs) are new members of the cyclic dinucleotide family of second messenger signaling molecules identified in both bacteria and mammalian cells. A recent study by Gao et al. published in Cell Research has identified and characterized three 3′3′-cGAMP-specific phosphodiesterases (termed as V-cGAP1/2/3) in V. cholerae, thereby providing mechanistic insights into the function of these enzymes that degrade cGAMPs.Despite their indispensable roles in the composition of DNA and RNA, as well as serving as energy sources, nucleotides are also well known as crucial signaling molecules in all domains of life. Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) represent an important and growing family of second messengers, which have been previously recognized as key modulators governing a variety of cellular activities in bacteria, and more recently, in mammalian cells. c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP, the first two members of the CDN family, have been implicated in central bacterial processes, and likely act as universal bacterial secondary messengers^1,2. The latest addition to the bacterial CDN family is 3′3′-cGAMP, a hybrid molecule that is synthesized from ATP and GTP by DncV (a cyclase from V. cholerae) and shown to promote intestinal colonization of V. cholerae by downregulating chemotaxis³. Predicted homologs of DncV are present in many other bacterial species³, indicating that 3′3′-cGAMP may also regulate a wide range of cellular functions, similar to c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP. The research on CDNs as second messengers reached new heights following the recent identification of 2′3′-cGAMP, a noncanonical CDN in mammalian cells containing mixed 2′,5′ (at GpA step) and 3′,5′ (at ApG step) linkages, which is synthesized by cGAMP synthase (cGAS) in response to the presence of DNA in the cytosol^4,5,6. A remarkable set of new discoveries have revealed that all the CDNs described above are able to bind and activate STING, the central adaptor in the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, thereby promoting the innate immune response in mammalian cells by inducing the expression of Type I interferon (IFN)^7,8,9.Given their critical roles in a variety of important cellular processes, the cellular levels of CDNs have to be tightly controlled by the coordinated action of counteracting cyclases and degradation enzymes. To date, several phosphodiesterases (PDEs) have been found to hydrolyze c-di-GMP (EAL or HD-GYP domain-containing enzymes)¹ and c-di-AMP (DHH-DHHA or HD domain-containing enzymes)^2,10 (Figure 1). In addition, recent research reported that ENPP1 (ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase) is the dominant 2′3′-cGAMP hydrolyzing enzyme in mammalian cells¹¹ (Figure 1). A new study by Gao et al.¹² has now identified the first three 3′3′-cGAMP-specific PDEs in V. cholerae and provided detailed insights into their enzymatic mechanisms.Open in a separate windowFigure 1Schematic representation of degradation enzymes identified for different cyclic dinucleotides and the related hydrolysis products. The various protein domains are highlighted by different shapes and colors. Note that the newly identified V-cGAPs belong to the HD-GYP domain-containing PDEs.There are a total of 36 potential PDE genes (containing EAL, HD-GYP or DHH domains) in the V. cholerae genome. To search for 3′3′-cGAMP-specific PDE(s), Gao et al.¹² established an efficient and sensitive eukaryotic screening system by taking advantage of the ability of 3′3′-cGAMP to activate STING and induce type I IFN expression in mammalian cells. By overexpressing the 3′3′-cGAMP synthetase DncV together with the 36 potential PDEs in 293 cells, the authors could monitor IFN-β promoter activation to identify the PDE(s) that could degrade 3′3′-cGAMP. To exclude false-positives, Gao et al. further purified the PDEs that potentially target 3′3′-cGAMP based on the initial screening, and incubated these enzymes with chemically synthesized 3′3′-cGAMP. The treated 3′3′-cGAMP molecules were further assayed by either adding to PFO-permeabilized THP-1 cells to examine IRF3 phosphorylation levels or through loading on HPLC to monitor the generation of new products. As a result of the screening and validation, the authors successfully identified three HD-GYP domain-containing proteins that could degrade 3′3′-cGAMP, named VCA0681, VCA0210 and VCA0931 (designated as V-cGAP1, 2 and 3, respectively).To determine the substrate specificity of V-cGAPs, different cGAMP linkage isomers (3′3′-, 3′2′-, 2′3′-, and 2′2′-cGAMPs) were incubated with the purified V-cGAPs. The results of both IRF3 phosphorylation in THP-1 cells and HPLC assays clearly indicated that V-cGAPs only degrade 3′3′-cGAMP, but not other cGAMP linkage isomers. The 3′3′-cGAMP PDE activity of V-cGAPs was further confirmed by dosage- and time-dependent enzymatic assays. By using mutant proteins, the authors also confirmed that both the HD and GYP motifs within V-cGAPs are critical for PDE activity.Combining detailed HPLC analysis, mass spectrometry and enzymatic treatment, Gao et al. definitively established that 3′3′-cGAMP is first hydrolyzed by all three V-cGAPs to generate linear 5′-pApG, which is further hydrolyzed into 5′-ApG only by V-cGAP1. These results show that V-cGAP2 and V-cGAP3 have only PDE activity, while V-cGAP1 has both PDE and 5′-nucleotidase activities. The authors also found that V-cGAP1 has a much higher activity for linearization of 3′3′-cGAMP to 5′-pApG than V-cGAP2 and 3, with the later two V-cGAPs exhibiting similar kinetics of degradation.The cellular level of 3′3′-cGAMP has to be tightly regulated by a combination of counteracting synthesis and degradation enzymes. Since the expression level of DncV was found to be inducible by outside signals to enhance intestinal colonization and infectivity, it is very likely that the expression level of V-cGAPs will also be regulated by 3′3′-cGAMP production. Indeed, the authors proved that V-cGAP expression is greatly and readily enhanced after arabinose-induced DncV expression in a ΔdncV mutant V. cholerae strain, at both mRNA (by qRT-PCR) and protein (by immunoblot analysis) levels. To confirm the in vivo function of V-cGAPs, the authors performed both “chemotactic” and “infant mouse colonization competition” assays by using V-cGAP1/2/3 single-, double-, or triple-deletion V. cholerae strains. All the in vivo data clearly established that V-cGAPs counteract DncV function and exert a crucial role in regulating bacterial infectivity.The large amount of insightful data presented by Gao et al. has elucidated detailed information regarding the identification and characterization of 3′3′-cGAMP-specific phosphodiesterases, thereby providing valuable insights into our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of cGAMP signaling in bacteria. Clearly, further structural work will be necessary to understand the intermolecular interactions between 3′3′-cGAMP and V-cGAPs, and provide insights into the mechanism by which V-cGAPs preferentially attack the phosphodiester bond at the GpA step.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Anti-HIV-1 and Antitumor Activity of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy-3-deazaadenosine, 2′,3′-dideoxy-3-Deazaadenosine and Some 2′,3′-dideoxy-3-deaza-adenosine 5′-dialkyl Phosphates1

Abstract

- The 4-amino-1-(2.3-dideoxy-β-D-glycero-pent-2-enofurano-syl)-1H-irnidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (1) and 4-amino-1-(2,3-dideoxy-β-D-gfycero-pentofuranosyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (2), 3-deaza analogues of the anti-HIV agents 2′.3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine (d4A) and 2′,3′-dideoxy-adenosine (ddA), have been synthesized. The reaction of 3-deazaadenosine (3) with 2-acetoxyisobutyryl bromide yielded a mixture of cis and trans 2′,3′-ha-lo acetates which was convertcd into olefinic nucleoside (1) on treatment with a Zn/Cu couplc and then with methanolic ammonia. The 2′,3′-dideoxy-3-deazaadenosine (2) was obtained by catalytic reduction of 1. A number of phosphate triester derivatives of 2 have also been prepared. The diethyl-, dipropyl- and dibutylpliospliates 7a-c and 3-deazaadenosine have shown anti-HIV activity at non-cytotoxic doses. Compounds 7a-c have also shown significant cytostatic activity against murine colon adenocarcinoma cells.     

Synthesis of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-C-Methyl Substituted Nucleosides

Abstract

1-(2,3-Dideoxy-3-C-hydroxmethyl-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl) -,1- (2,3-didehydro-2,3-dideoxy-3-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-glycero- pentofuranosyl) -and 1-(3-C-azidomethyl-2,3-dideoxy-3-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-glycero- pentofuranosyl)uracil, thymine and cytosine were synthesized and evaluated for anti-HIV activity. The synthetic strategy was based on an allylic alcohol transposition of the corresponding 3′-C-methylene-nucleoside analogues.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of 3′-Substituted Thymidine Analogues Derived from 3′-Amino-3′-deoxythymidine

Abstract

To assess the structure-activity relationship for antiviral activity, a series of 3′-deoxy-3′-N-functionalized thymidine analogues were synthesized. Several of these thymidine analogues show moderate in vitro activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2.