Intramolecular Radical Reactions of 5′-O-Modified 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine Derivatives

Abstract

Radical reactions of 5′-O-(2-bromo-1-methoxy)ethyl- and 5′-O-(2-propynyl)-2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydrouridines were investigated. Both reactions proceeded in a 6-exo-trig manner to give products cyclized regio- and stereospecifically at the 3′-position. The structures of these products were analyzed by X-ray crystallography.

     

Structure of 2′,5′-Linked Tetraribonucleotide Loops: A Novel RNA Motif

Abstract

We report on the three dimensional structure of an RNA hairpin containing a 2′,5′-linked tetraribonucleotide loop, namely, 5′-rGGAC(UUCG)GUCC-3′ (where UUCG = U_2′p5′U_2′p5′C_2′p5′G_2′p5′). We show that the 2′,5′-linked RNA loop adopts a conformation that is quite different from that previously observed for the native 3′,5′-linked RNA loop. The 2′,5′- RNA loop is stabilized by (a) U:G wobble base pairing, with both bases in the anti conformation, (b) extensive base stacking, and (c) sugar–base contacts, all of which contribute to the extra stability of this hairpin structure.     

PRESENCE OF 2′,5′-LINKAGES IN A HOMOPYRIMIDINE DNA OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PROMOTES STABLE TRIPLEX FORMATION UNDER PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

We prepared 15-mer homopyrimidine oligonucleotides containing three or four 2′,5′-linked DNA units, and their ability as a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) was analyzed in detail. UV melting experiments showed that replacement of a 3′,5′-linkage by a 2′,5′-linkage at every third or fourth residue in TFO significantly promoted stable triplex formation under physiological conditions.     

RNA interference with 2′,4′-bridged nucleic acid analogues

In this study, a number of 2′,4′-BNA- and 2′,4′-BNA^NC-modified siRNAs were designed and synthesized. Their thermal stability, nuclease resistance and gene silencing properties against cultured mammalian cells were evaluated and compared with those of natural siRNAs. The 2′,4′-BNA- and 2′,4′-BNA^NC-modified siRNAs (named siBNA and siBNA^NC, respectively) showed very high T_m values, were remarkably stable in serum sample and showed promising RNAi properties equal to those exhibited by natural siRNAs. Thermally stable siBNAs composed of slightly modified sense and antisense strands were capable of suppressing gene expression equal to that of natural siRNA. A number of modifications on the sense strand by 2′,4′-BNA or 2′,4′-BNA^NC, either consecutively or separated by natural RNA nucleotides, is tolerable in RNAi machinery. Modifications at the Argonauate (Ago2) cleavage site of the sense strand (9–11th positions from the 5′-end of the sense strand) produced variable results depending on siRNA composition. Mostly, modification at the 10th position diminished siRNA activity. In moderately modified siRNAs, modification at the 11th position displayed usual RNAi activity, while modification at the 9th position showed variable results depending on siRNA composition.     

Specificity for 3′,5′-linked substrates in RNA-catalyzed RNA polymerization

Summary The finding that ribozymes can catalyze RNA chain elongation has led to the proposal that an early self-replicating system could have consisted of RNA alone. In such a chain elongation reaction, theTetrahymena ribozyme was found to select 3′, 5′-linked substrates from a pool that contained a large molar excess of 2′, 5′-linked dinucleotides. The enzyme neither reacted with nor was inhibited by 2′, 5′ phosphodiester linkages. The ability to exclude incorrectly linked substrates would have conferred an important selective advantage to a primordial RNA molecule with RNA replicase activity.     

1′, 2′-Seco-2′,3′-Dideoxynucleoside Analogues: Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Racemic Trans-[1′, 5′-Dihydroxy 3′, 4′-methylenylpent-2′-oxy)methyl] Nucleosides

Abstract

Reaction of (±)but-3-en-1,2-diol (3) with ethyl diazoacetate afforded two cyclopropyl compounds (5) and (6). Their relative trans stereochemistry at C-2 and C-3 has been determined by high-field and computational NMR spectroscopy. (±)Trans-1-(1′,5′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenyl-pent-2′-oxy)methyl]thymine (1d) or -cytosine (1b) and (±)trans-9-(1′,5′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenylpent-2′-oxy)-methyl]adenine (la) or -guanine (1c) have been obtained through a regiospecific alkylation procedure and their antiviral evaluation is reported.     

SYNTHESIS of 2′-DEOXY-2′-FLUOROGUANYL-(3′,5′)-GUANOSINE

ABSTRACT

The protected analogue of 2-amnio-6-chloropurine arabinoside (3b) was subjected to reaction with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) and subsequently treated with NaOAc in Ac₂O/AcOH to give N ²,O ^3′,O ^5′-triacetyl-2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroguanosine (5a). After deacetylation of the sugar moiety and protection of 5′-OH by a 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl group, this nucleoside component was converted to 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroguanyl-(3′,5′)-guanosine (6c, GfpG).     

Synthesis and Potent Anti-HCMV Activity of 2′,5′,5′-trifluoro-3′-hydroxy-apiosyl Nucleoside Phosphonic Acid Analogues

As antiviral nucleosides containing a fluorine atom at 2′-position are endowed with increased stabilization of glycosyl bond, it was of interest to investigate the influence of three fluorine atoms at 2′- and 5′-positions of apiosyl nucleoside phosphonate analogues. Various pyrimidine and purine 2′,5′,5′-trifluoro-3′-hydroxy-apiose nucleoside phosphonic acid analogues were synthesized from 1,3-dihydroxyacetone. Electrophilic fluorination of lactone was performed using N-fluorodibenzenesulfonimide. Difluorophosphonation was performed by direct displacement of triflate intermediate with diethyl(lithiodifluoromethyl) phosphonate to give the corresponding (α,α-difluoroalkyl) phosphonate. Condensation successfully proceeded from a glycosyl donor with persilylated bases to yield nucleoside phosphonate analogues. Deprotection of diethyl phosphonates provided the final phosphonic acid sodium salts. The synthesized nucleoside analogues were subjected to antiviral screening against various viruses.     

Syn- and anti-conformations of 5′-deoxy- and 5′-O-methyl-uridine 2′,3′-cyclic monophosphate

Two uridine 2′,3′-cyclic monophosphate (cUMP) derivatives, 5′-deoxy (DcUMP) and 5′-O-methyl (McUMP), were studied by means of quantum chemical methods. Aqueous solvent effects were estimated based on the isodensity-surface polarized-continuum model (IPCM). Gas phase calculations revealed only slight energy differences between the syn- and anti-conformers of both compounds: the relative energies of the syn-structure are −0.9 and 0.2 kcal mol^-1 for DcUMP and McUMP, respectively. According to the results from the IPCM calculations, however, both syn-conformers become about 14 kcal mol^-1 more stable in aqueous solution than their corresponding anti-structures. Additionally, the effects of a countercation and protonation on DcUMP were studied, revealing that the syn-structure is also favored over the anti-one for these systems.     

Acyclic 2′, 3′-Dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydronucleoside 5′-Triphosphates as Termination Substrates of Broad Set of DNA Polymerases

Abstract

O4′-Nor-2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydronucleoside 5′-triphosphates (acyclo-d₄NTP) have been shown to have the properties of effective termination substrates for DNA biosynthesis, catalyzed by several different DNA polymerases.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity Assay of Novel (E)-3′,5′-Diamino-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′,3′,5′-trideoxyuridine

Abstract

(E)-3′,5′-diamino-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′,3′,5′-trideoxyuridine (5), the diamino analogue of BVDU (1), was synthesized from BVDU. In contrast with BVDU, compound 5 did not show activity against herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus.     

Phosphonates Derivatives of 2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-pentopyranosyl Nucleosides

Abstract

Adenine and thymine derivatives of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydropento-pyranosyl nucleosides carrying a phosphonomethyl moiety at their 4′-O-position and in a cis relationship with the heterocyclic base have been synthesized.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some 5-Nitro- and 5-Amino Derivatives of 2′-Deoxycytidine, 2′,3′-Dideoxyuridine,and 2′,3′-Dideoxycytidine

Abstract

In this article, we describe the synthesis of 5-nitro-1-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (4α), 5-nitro-1-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (4β), 5-amino-1-(2-deoxy-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (5α), 5-nitro-1- (2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (5β), 5-nitro-1-(2,3-dideoxy-β- D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (6β), 5-amino-1-(2,3-dideoxy-α,β-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (7), 5-nitro-1-(2,3-dideoxy-α,β-D-ribofuranosyl)cytosine (8) and 5-amino-1-(2,3-dideoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)cytosine (9β). The prepared compounds were tested for their activity against HIV and HBV viruses, but they did not show significant activity.     

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 potato tuber-inducing activity of methyl 5′,5′,5′-trifluorojasmonate

Methyl 5′,5′,5′-trifluorojasmonate was synthesized as an antimetabolic analogue of methyl jasmonate. It induced potato tuber formation more effectively than methyl jasmonate and inhibited the growth of rice seedlings and the germination of lettuce and radish seeds. These results suggest that epijasmonic acid itself has potato tuber-inducing activity and that the hydroxyl group of tuberonic acid is not necessary for this activity.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity Evaluation of 2′,5′,5′-Trifluoro-Apiosyl Nucleoside Phosphonic Acid Analogs

Racemic synthesis of novel 2′,5′,5′-trifluoro-apiose nucleoside phosphonic acid analogs were performed as potent antiviral agents. Phosphonation was performed by direct displacement of triflate intermediate with diethyl (lithiodifluoromethyl) phosphonate to give the corresponding (α,α-difluoroalkyl) phosphonate. Condensation successfully proceeded from a glycosyl donor with persilylated bases to yield the nucleoside phosphonate analogs. Deprotection of diethyl phosphonates provided the target nucleoside analogs. An antiviral evaluation of the synthesized compounds against various viruses such as HIV, HSV-1, HSV-2, and HCMV revealed that the pyrimidine analogues have significant anti-HCMV activity.     

Parallel Selections In Vitro Reveal a Preference for 2′–5′ RNA Ligation upon Deoxyribozyme-Mediated Opening of a 2′,3′-Cyclic Phosphate

We previously used in vitro selection to identify Mg²⁺-dependent deoxyribozymes that mediate the ligation reaction of an RNA 5′-hydroxyl group with a 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate. In these efforts, all of the deoxyribozymes were identified via a common in vitro selection strategy, and all of the newly formed RNA linkages were non-native 2′–5′ phosphodiester bonds rather than native 3′–5′ linkages. Here we performed several new selections in which the relative arrangements of RNA and DNA were different as compared with the earlier studies. In all cases, we again find deoxyribozymes that create only 2′–5′ linkages. This includes deoxyribozymes with an arrangement that favors 3′–5′ linkages for a different chemical reaction, that of a 2′,3′-diol plus 5′-triphosphate. These data indicate a strong and context-independent chemical preference for creating 2′–5′ RNA linkages upon opening of a 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate with a 5′-hydroxyl group. Preliminary assays show that some of the newly identified deoxyribozymes have promise for ligating RNA in a sequence-general fashion. Because 2′,3′-cyclic phosphates are the products of uncatalyzed RNA backbone cleavage, their ligation reactions may be of direct relevance to the RNA World hypothesis.[Reviewing Editor: Niles Lehman]     

The role of zinc in 5′,5′-diadenosine tetraphosphate production by aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases

Summary Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are capable of converting 5-ATP into 5,5-diadenosine tetraphosphate. The reaction reflects the reversal of enzyme-bound aminoacyl-adenylate by ATP instead of PP_i.In the case of a few prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the initial rate of diadenosine tetraphosphate synthesis can be greatly enhanced upon adding small amounts of zinc. This observation enables us to establish a relationship between diadenosine tetraphosphate, a nucleotide possibly involved in controlling cell proliferation, and a metallic cofactor, which is believed to play a role in tumour growth.Abbreviations AlaRS alanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.7) - CysRS cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.16) - HisRS histidyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.21) - HeRS isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.5) - LysRS lysyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.6) - MetRS methionyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.10) - PheRS phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.20) - ProRS prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.15) - TrpRS Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.2) - TyrRS tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1) - EDTA ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid