SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES CONTAINING 3′-S-PHOSPHOROTHIOLATE LINKAGES

For the first time a fully automated procedure has been developed for the incorporation of a 3′-S-phosphorothiolate linkage into DNA, using phosphorothioamidite monomers. Coupling yields with either of the activators 5-ethylthiotetrazole or 4,5-dicyanoimidazole were in the range of 80–90%. Coupling yields were equally good when performed on either a 0.2 or 1 μmole reaction column, thus facilitating large scale synthesis.     

PREPARATION OF OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDE 5′-TRIPHOSPHATES USING SOLID SUPPORT APPROACH

We report a synthetic procedure for conversion of oligonucleotides to their 5′-triphosphate derivatives with moderate yield. The oligonucleotides were synthesized on solid support using standard phosphoramidite protocols. The DMT protection group was removed and the 5′-OH was phosphitylated using 2-chloro-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin-4-one followed by reaction with tributyammonium pyrophosphate and iodine oxidation. After subsequent removal from support and complete deprotection, the products were isolated by anion-exchange HPLC chromatography. Structures of several 5′-triphosphate derivatives have been proven by phosphorus NMR, Mass-spectrometry and by HPLC comparison with authentic samples.     

THE NMR CONFORMATION STUDY OF THE COMPLEXES OF DEOXYCYTIDINE KINASE (dCK) AND 2′-DEOXYCYTIDINE/2′-DEOXYADENOSINE

The structures of the bound ¹³C/²H double-labelled 2′(R/S), 5′(R/S)-²H₂-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-¹³C₅-2′-deoxyadenosine and the corresponding 2′-deoxycytidine moieties in the complexes with human deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) have been characterized for the first time by the solution NMR spectroscopy, using Transferred Dipole-Dipole Cross-correlated Relaxation and Transferred nOe experiments. It has been shown that the ligand adopts a South-type sugar conformation when bound to dCK.     

SYNTHESIS OF 3′-DEOXY-3′-C-HYDROXYMETHYL ANALOGUES OF TIAZOFURIN AND RIBAVIRIN

On the basis of potent biological activity of 3′-branched-3′-deoxynucleoside analogues, novel ribavirin and tiazofurin derivatives with 3′-C-hydroxymethyl substituent were synthesized, starting from D-xylose.     

ATPase Mechanism of the 5′-3′ DNA Helicase,RecD2: EVIDENCE FOR A PRE-HYDROLYSIS CONFORMATION CHANGE*

The superfamily 1 helicase, RecD2, is a monomeric, bacterial enzyme with a role in DNA repair, but with 5′-3′ activity unlike most enzymes from this superfamily. Rate constants were determined for steps within the ATPase cycle of RecD2 in the presence of ssDNA. The fluorescent ATP analog, mantATP (2′(3′)-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)ATP), was used throughout to provide a complete set of rate constants and determine the mechanism of the cycle for a single nucleotide species. Fluorescence stopped-flow measurements were used to determine rate constants for adenosine nucleotide binding and release, quenched-flow measurements were used for the hydrolytic cleavage step, and the fluorescent phosphate biosensor was used for phosphate release kinetics. Some rate constants could also be measured using the natural substrate, ATP, and these suggested a similar mechanism to that obtained with mantATP. The data show that a rearrangement linked to Mg²⁺ coordination, which occurs before the hydrolysis step, is rate-limiting in the cycle and that this step is greatly accelerated by bound DNA. This is also shown here for the PcrA 3′-5′ helicase and so may be a general mechanism governing superfamily 1 helicases. The mechanism accounts for the tight coupling between translocation and ATPase activity.     

6-AZAPYRIMIDINE AND 7-DEAZAPURINE 2′-DEOXY-2′-FLUOROARABINONUCLEOSIDES: SYNTHESIS,CONFORMATION AND PROPERTIES OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

The synthesis of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyl nucleosides (1b, 2b, and 3b) were described and their conformation in solution as well as in the solid state was determined. In addition to this, building blocks 10a,b and 13a,b were prepared and employed in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. For compounds 1a and 1b the lactime proton is protected to avoid unresolved degradation of its phosphoramidites 10a,b. UV-melting studies have been carried out to assess the thermal stability of oligonucleotides containing compounds 1a,b, and 3a,b.     

α-OLIGONUCLEOTIDES WITH ANIONIC PHOSPHODIESTER AND CATIONIC PHOSPHORAMIDATE LINKAGES ENHANCED STABILITY OF DNA TRIPLE HELIX

Synthesis of several α-oligonucleotides containing both anionic phosphodiester and cationic N-(dimethylaminopropyl)phosphoramidate internucleosidic linkages is described. Their ability to form triple helix with dsDNA was evaluated at various pH by UV melting experiments.     

HYDROLYSIS OF 2′-DEOXY AND 2′-FLUORONUCLEOSIDE-3′-PHOSPHODlESTERS

Abstract

Two nucleoside analogs were synthesized to test the ribose conformational and electronic effects on phosphate hydrolysis at the 3′ position. It was found that under alkaline conditions, a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside (C3′-endo) resulted in a phosphate degradation that was ten times faster than the 2′-deoxynucleoside analog (C2′-endo). In addition to kinetic differences, product distributions will be presented.     

SYNTHESIS OF CARBOCYCLIC ANALOGS OF 2′,3′-DIDEOXYSANGIVAMYCIN, 2′,3′-DIDEOXYTOYOCAMYCIN,AND 2′,3′-DIDEOXYTRICIRIBINE

Syntheses and antiviral activity of new carbocyclic analogs of 2′, 3′-dideoxysangivamycin, 2′,3′-dideoxytoyocamycin and 2′,3′-dideoxytriciribine is described. The key intermediate, carbocyclic 4-chloro- 5-iodopyrrolopyrimidine, was synthesized in good yield via a novel iodination method using I₂ and CF₃COOAg. This carbocyclic 4-chloro-5-iodopyrrolopyrimidine then allowed for a concise synthesis of the desired 4,5-disubstituted carbocyclic nucleosides.     

SYNTHETIC STUDY OF 3′-α-FLUORO-2′,3′-DIDEOXYGUANOSINE

A synthetic method was established for 3′-α-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine 1 from guanosine 2 in 27% overall yield and 6 steps. A byproduct 6a of fluorination was identified by NMR studies, its presence strongly supporting our supposition that the fluorination itself proceeded via a bromonium cation.     

INACTIVATION OF S-ADENOSYL-L-HOMOCYSTEINE HYDROLASE WITH FLUORINATED ANALOGS OF 2′- AND 3′-DEOXY-5′-METHYLTHIOADENOSINE

Fluorinated analogs of 2′- and 3′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine 1–4 caused irreversible inactivation of AdoHcy hydrolase. Based on the ESI-Mass spectra analysis of the inactivated enzyme with the fluorinated analog 1 a mechanism of inactivation is proposed.     

SYNTHESIS OF SOME 2′-FLUORO-2′-DEOXY-3′-C-ETHYNYL AND 3′-C-VINYL-β-D-LYXOFURANOSYL NUCLEOSIDES

1-(2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (5) and 1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine (6) were synthesized as reported earlier. Both of these compounds were converted into 2′-fluoro-2′-deoxy-3′-C-ethynyl and 3′-C-vinyl-β-D-lyxofuranosyl nucleosides (16–19) by a multistep sequence. All these new nucleosides were evaluated against seven human tumor cell lines in vitro.     

COMPARISON OF THE ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF HYDROPHOBIC AMINO ACID PHOSPHORAMIDATE MONOESTERS OF 2′, 3′-DIDEOXYADENOSINE (DDA) AND 3′-AZIDO-3′-DEOXYTHYMIDINE (AZT)

A series of hydrophobic, water soluble and non-toxic amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of dideoxyadenosine (ddA) and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine were shown to inhibit the replication of HIV-1 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from two donors. The tryptophan methyl ester phosphoramidates of AZT and ddA were equally potent (EC₅₀S = 0.3–0.4 μM), while the phenyl methyl ester of ddA was 40- to 100- fold more potent than the AZT derivatives. The alaninyl methyl ester of AZT was found to be 70- fold more potent than the ddA derivative. The methyl amide derivatives were found to be 5–20 fold less active than the methyl esters for the ddA series, while for AZT the derivatives were found to be of similar potency or 60- to 166- fold more potent than the methylesters.     

The 5′-Purine-Pyrimidine-3′ Stacks are More Stabilizing in a Self-3′-Pyrinudine-Purine-5′ complementary DNA Duplex than the 5′-Purine-Purine-3′ 3′-Pyrimidine-Pyrimidine-5′ Stack

Abstract

First experimental evidence is herein reported supporting the earlier quantum chemical calculations that 5′-Punne-pyrimiidine-3′ 3′ -Pyrimidine-Punne-5 stack is more stable than 5′-Pyrimiidine-Punne-3′ 3′-Punne-Pyrimidine-5′.     

SYNTHESIS OF A NEW 5′-O-TRIPHOSPHATE ANALOG OF 5-METHYL 2′-O-DEOXYCYTIDINE. PRELIMINARY IN VITRO LABELING FOR NON-RADIOACTIVE DETECTION OF DNA

We report the synthesis of the triphosphate of 5-methyl 4-N-[6-(p-bromobenzamido)hex-1-yl]-2′-O-deoxycytidine 3A . We also analyzed the formation of intramolecular H-bonds of 5-methyl 4-N-{n-[6-(p-bromobenzamido) caproyl amino]alk-1-yl}-2′-deoxycytidine compounds, and confirmed their presence by ¹H-NMR studies. In vitro DNA labeling with modified nucleotides is preliminarily evaluated.     

ANTI-TUMOR EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS TNFα GENE DELIVERY NAKED PLASMID DNA USING A HYDRODYNAMICS-BASED PROCEDURE

High levels of foreign gene expression in mouse hepatocytes can be achieved by the rapid injection of a large volume of naked plasmid (pDNA) into animals via the tail vein, the so-called hydrodynamics-based procedure. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of hydrodynamics-based tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) transfer for tumor treatment, in which the naked pDNA encoding TNFα was administered into the tail vein following an intravenous injection of B16 melanoma cells. The mice treated with TNFα-expressing pDNA displayed a profound reduction in lung metastasis. These results suggest that the hydrodynamics-based transfer of naked pDNA is a convenient and efficient method of TNFα gene therapy against metastatic tumors.     

SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF CONFORMATIONALLY RESTRICTED 3′-DEOXY-3′,4′-EXO-METHYLENE NUCLEOSIDE ANALOGUES

Hitherto unknown restricted 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-exo-methylene nucleoside derivatives bearing the nucleic acid naturally occurring pyrimidine bases have been synthesized. The compounds were tested for their activity against HIV, HBV, and several RNA viruses, but they did not show significant antiviral effect.     

MICROWAVES SYNTHESIS OF SOLID SUPPORTS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF 3′-AMINOALKYL OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES

Phthalimido-alkyl alcohol solid supports were rapidly prepared from solid supported phthalic anhydride and amino alcohol condensation induced by microwaves. These supports were used to synthesize 3′-aminoalkyl oligodeoxynucleotides allowing a two step deprotection necessary to avoid aminolink alkylation.     

A NEW APPROACH TO THE SYNTHESIS OF 4′-CARBON-SUBSTITUTED NUCLEOSIDES: DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTI-HIV AGENT 2′, 3′-DIDEHYDRO-3′-DEOXY-4′-ETHYNYLTHYMIDINE

Oxidation of 3′-O-TBDMS-4′,5′-unsaturated thymidine 3 with dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) allowed the isolation of the epoxide 4. Upon reacting with organosilicon reagents in the presence of SnCl₄, 4 underwent stereoselective ring opening to give 4′-α-allyl (6), 4′-α-(2-bromoallyl) (7), 4′-α-(cyclopenten-3-yl) (8), and 4′-α-cyano (9) derivatives of thymidine. Reactions of the 3′-epimer 12 with organoaluminum reagents gave 4′-α-methyl (13), 4′-α-vinyl (14), and 4′-α-ethynyl (15) analogues. Compounds 13–15 were transformed into corresponding 2′,3′-didehydro-3′-deoxy derivatives. Evaluation of their ability to inhibit the replication of HIV in cell culture showed that 4′-ethynyl-d4T (19) is more potent and less toxic than the parent compound d4T.