Phospholipid metabolism and lysosomal enzyme secretion by leukocytes Effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′ : 5′-monophosphate and ATP

The effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′ : 5′-monophosphate and ATP on isotope incorporation into phospholipids and the release of β-glucuronidase into the extracellular medium were studied in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from guinea pig peritoneal exudates. Exogenous dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′ : 5′-monophosphate (0.1–1.0 mM) reduced β-glucoronidase release induced by cytochalasin B in the absence of inert particles. It selectively inhibited ³²P_i incorporation into phosphatidic acid and the phosphoinositides and the incorporation of myo-[2-³H]inositol into the phosphoinositides. Added ATP (0.1–1.0 mM), but not other nucleotides, was found to potentiate β-glucuronidase release provoked by cytochasin B, but it impaired the labeling of the phosphoinositides by myo-[2-³H]inositol. The mechanism of the inhibition of the isotope incorporation into these acidic phospholipids by the two nucleotides has not been defined. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′ : 5′-monophosphate at 2–4 mM concentration was not found to appreciably alter the incorporation of [γ-³²P]ATP into phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol, diphosphoinositide, and triphosphoinositide.     

3-(1′,1′-Dimethylbutyl)-1-deoxy-Δ-THC and related compounds: synthesis of selective ligands for the CB2 receptor

The synthesis and pharmacology of 15 1-deoxy-Δ⁸-THC analogues, several of which have high affinity for the CB₂ receptor, are described. The deoxy cannabinoids include 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy-Δ⁸-THC (5), 1-deoxy-Δ⁸-THC (6), 1-deoxy-3-butyl-Δ⁸-THC (7), 1-deoxy-3-hexyl-Δ⁸-THC (8) and a series of 3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-1-deoxy-Δ⁸-THC analogues (2, n=0–4, 6, 7, where n=the number of carbon atoms in the side chain−2). Three derivatives (17–19) of deoxynabilone (16) were also prepared. The affinities of each compound for the CB₁ and CB₂ receptors were determined employing previously described procedures. Five of the 3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-1-deoxy-Δ⁸-THC analogues (2, n=1–5) have high affinity (K_i=<20 nM) for the CB₂ receptor. Four of them (2, n=1–4) also have little affinity for the CB₁ receptor (K_i=>295 nM). 3-(1′,1′-Dimethylbutyl)-1-deoxy-Δ⁸-THC (2, n=2) has very high affinity for the CB₂ receptor (K_i=3.4±1.0 nM) and little affinity for the CB₁ receptor (K_i=677±132 nM).

Scheme 3. (a) (C₆H₅)₃PCH₃⁺ Br⁻, n-BuLi/THF, 65°C; (b) LiAlH₄/THF, 25°C; (c) KBH(sec-Bu)₃/THF, −78 to 25°C then H₂O₂/NaOH.     

Solubilization of rat heart sarcolemma 5′-nucleotidase by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C

The influence of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment on rat heart sarcolemmal 5′-nucleotidase was investigated. Upon complete hydrolysis of all phosphatidylinositol in the sarcolemma, 75% of 5′-nucleotidase activity was found in the solubilized form. The insolubilized enzyme after this treatment has the same K_m for AMP as the untreated, sarcolemmal-bound enzyme (0.04 mM), whereas the solubilized enzyme has a 40-fold increase in K_m for AMP (0.16 mM). Other sarcolemmal-bound enzymes were not affected by the same treatment. Hence, the specific involvement of phosphatidylinositol in the binding of 5′-nucleotidase to the sarcolemma of the rat heart is clearly demonstrated.     

Effects of 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene on ion transport in turtle bladders

The disulfonic stilbene (4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene) is found to be more potent than acetazolamide as an anion transport inhibitor in the turtle bladder, but less potent than acetazolamide as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. The anion-dependent (HCO₃^-−, Cl⁻) moeity of the short-circuiting current is eliminated by 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic stibene, but only after its addition to the serosal bathing fluid. Whereas 4-acetmido-4′-isothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene has no effect om Na⁺transport across the bladder, it is more potent than ouabain as an inhibitor of microsomal (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase of both turtle bladder and eel electric organ.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2 ′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] squarate. Crystal structure of bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] squarate tetrahydrate

The compound [Cu₂(bipy)₂(OH)₂](C₄O₄)·5.5H₂O, where bipy and C₄O₄²⁻ correspond to 2,2′-bipyridyl and squarate (dianion of 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclo- butene-1,3-dione) respectively, has been synthesized. Its magnetic properties have been investigated in the 2–300 K temperature range. The ground state is a spin-triplet state, with a singlet-triplet separation of 145 cm⁻¹. The EPR powder spectrum confirms the nature of the ground state.Well-formed single crystals of the tetrahydrate, [Cu₂(bipy)₂(OH)₂](C₄O₄)·4H₂O, were grown from aqueous solutions and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The system is triclinic, space group P , with a = 9.022(2), b = 9.040(2), c = 8.409(2) Å, α = 103.51(2), β = 103.42(3), γ = 103.37(2)°, V = 642.9(3) ų, Z = 1, D_x = 1.699 g cm⁻³, μ(Mo Kα) = 17.208 cm⁻¹, F(000) = 336 and T= 295 K. A total of 2251 data were collected over the range 1θ25°; of these, 1993 (independent and with I3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. The final R and R_w residuals were 0.034 and 0.038 respectively. The structure contains squarato-O¹, O³-bridged bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] units forming zigzag one-dimensional chains. Each copper atom is in a square-pyramidal environment with the two nitrogen atoms of 2,2′-bipyridyl and the two oxygen atoms of the hydroxo groups building the basal plane and another oxygen atom of the squarate lying in the apical position.The magnetic properties are discussed in the light of spectral and structural data and compared with the reported ones for other bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] complexes.     

Direct fluorimetric measurement on the hydrolysis of β-naphthyl triphosphate, a fluorescent ATP analog, by heavy meromyosin

A fluorescent ATP analog, β-naphthyl triphosphate, was hydrolyzed to β-naphthyl diphosphate and orthophosphate by heavy meromyosin ATPase. In the process of hydrolysis the fluorescence intensity of β-naphthyl triphosphate changed remarkably. Thus, the rate of β-naphthyl triphosphate hydrolysis is evaluated directly and continuously by measuring the time course of fluorescence intensity.In the presence of Ca²⁺, the Michaelis constant (K_m) of β-naphthyl triphosphate hydrolysis by heavy meromyosin was similar to that of ATP hydrolysis. While, in the presence of Mg²⁺ the K_m of β-napthyl triphosphate hydrolysis was 9.0·10⁻⁶ M, much larger than the value of ATP hydrolysis, indicating that the apparent affinity of the enzyme for β-naphthyl triphosphate is less than that for ATP.The pH dependence of β-naphthyl triphosphatase activity resembled that of ATPase activity, suggesting a similarity in the mechanism of hydrolysis of the two substrates.     

The Arrhenius plot behaviour of rat liver 5′-nucleotidase in different lipid environments

The plasma membrane enzyme 5′-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) was prepared from rat liver as a complex with sphingomyelin or in detergent-solubilized forms. Each preparation exhibited a K_m and Arrhenius break temperature indistinguishable from that of 5′-nucleotidase in plasma membranes. Measurement of fatty acid profiles, cholesterol and phospholipid content however showed a very wide variation between these preparations. We conclude that the biphasic nature of the Arrhenius plot of 5′-nucleotidase may be a property of the enzyme rather than its lipid environment.     

Di(1,N-ethenoadenosine)5′, 5-P,P-tetraphosphate, a fluorescent enzymatically active derivative of Ap4A

Di(1,N⁶-ethenoadenosine) 5′, 5-P¹, P⁴-tetraphosphate, ε-(Ap₄A), a fluorescent analog of Ap₄A has been synthesized by reaction of 2-chloroacetaldehyde with Ap₄A. At neutral pH this Ap₄A analog presents characteristic maxima at 265 and 274 nm, shoulders at ca 260 and 310 nm and moderate fluorescence (λ_exc 307 nm, λ_em 410 nm). Enzymatic hydrolysis of the phosphate backbone produced a slight hyperchromic effect but a notorious increase of the fluorescence emission. Cytosolic extracts from adrenochromaffin tissue as well as cultured chromaffin cells were able to split ε(Ap₄A) and catabolize the resulting ε-nucleotide moieties up to ε-Ado.     

Chemically modified ATP derivatives for the study of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast: ATP analogs with fixed conformations or modified triphosphate chains in the aminoacylation reaction

The systematic investigation of substrate specificity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from yeast is completed by tests of ATP analogs with fixed conformation about the glycosidic bond and with modifications in the triphosphate chain as substrate analogs in the aminoacylation reaction. Two analogs with fixed high anti (8,2′-O-cyclo-ATP, 8,2′-S-cyclo-ATP) and two with fixed anti (8,3′-O-cyclo-ATP, 8,3′-S-cyclo-ATP) conformation have been tested in the esterification reaction of phenylalanyl-, seryl-, lysyl-, valyl-, isoleucyl-, arginyl-, and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from baker's yeast. None of the compounds was a substrate, whereas 11 K_i values could be determined. 8,2′-S-cyclo-ATP, remarkably, is the only analog which inhibits all these synthetases. Each compound with a fixed anti conformation inhibits two enzymes. Among 11 analogs with modifications in the triphosphate chain, four were substrates for phenylalanyl-, three for seryl-, one for lysyl-, three for valyl-, one for isoleucyl-, and none for arginyl- and for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases. Two compounds were inhibitors of different types for phenylalanyl-, two for seryl-, seven for lysyl-, six for valyl-, nine for isoleucyl-, seven for arginyl-, and two for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases. Their K_m, V, and K_i values have been determined. In the general picture of substrate specificity the subunit enzymes can tolerate substitutions in position 2, 2′, at the α-phosphorus, at the β,γ-P-X-P bridge and at the γ-phosphorus atom. The single chain enzymes tolerate substitutions in position 7 and at the γ-phosphorus. All seven synthetases from yeast need an intact NH₂ group in position 6 and an oxygen atom in position 3′.     

Structure and properties of a novel OH bridged dimetal helical complex with 6,6-dimethyl-2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2:6,2-quinquepyridine ligand

A new monohelical OH⁻ bridged dinuclear complex [Zn₂(dmqpy)(OOCCH₃)₂(μ-OH)][ClO₄] · 0.5EtOH, where dmqpy is 6,6-dimethyl-2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2:6,2-quinquepyridine, has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=13.670(1), b=14.751(1), c=16.782(1) Å, β=96.59(1)°, U=3361.7(4) ų, Z=4, R=0.0601. Two Zn(II) ions are in different coordination modes, one is five-coordinate with a N₃O₂ donor set and the other is N₂O₂ four-coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry, and the zinc ions are bridged by a hydroxyl group. The presence of the OH⁻ bridge is further confirmed by electrospray mass and infrared spectroscopies. The solution properties of the complex were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results of NMR indicate that the complex has higher symmetry in solution than in the solid state.     

Human prostatic steroid 5α-reductase isoforms—A comparative study of selective inhibitors

The present study describes the independent expression of the type 1 and 2 isoforms of human 5α-reductase in the baculovirus-directed insect cell expression system and the selectivity of their inhibition. The catalytic properties and kinetic parameters of the recombinant isozymes were consistent with published data. The type 1 isoform displayed a neutral (range 6–8) pH optimum and the type 2 isoform an acidic (5–6) pH optimum. The type 2 isoform had higher affinity for testosterone than did the type 1 isoform (K_m = 0.5 and 2.9 μM, respectively). Finasteride and turosteride were selective inhibitors of the type 2 isoform (K_i (type 2) = 7.3 and 21.7 nM compared to K_i (type 1) = 108 and 330 nM, respectively). 4-MA and the lipido-sterol extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) markedly inhibited both isozymes (K_i (type 1) = 8.4 nM and 7.2 μg/ml, respectively; K_i (type 2) = 7.4 nM and 4.9 μg/ml, respectively). The three azasteroids were competitive inhibitors vs substrate, whereas LSESr displayed non-competitive inhibition of the type 1 isozyme and uncompetitive inhibition of the type 2 isozyme. These observations suggest that the lipid component of LSESr might be responsible for its inhibitory effect by modulating the membrane environment of 5α-reductase. Partially purified recombinant 5α-reductase type 1 activity was preserved by the presence of lipids indicating that lipids can exert either stimulatory or inhibitory effects on human 5α-reductase.     

Purification of chemically synthesised dinucleoside(5′,5′) polyphosphates by displacement chromatography

Dinucleoside(5′,5′) polyphosphates (Ap_nA, Ap_nG, Gp_nG, n=3–6) are new group of hormones controlling important biological processes. Because some of the dinucleoside(5′,5′) polyphosphates are commercially not available purification of chemical synthesised dinucleoside(5′,5′) polyphosphates became necessary in order to test their physiological and pharmacological properties. It was the aim of this study to find a method which allows purification of 0.1–0.2 g quantities of dinucleoside polyphosphates by analytical HPLC columns yielding products with impurities lower than 1.0%. Adenosine(5′)-polyphospho-(5′)guanosines were synthesised by mixing the corresponding mononucleotides. The reaction results in a complex mixture of Ap_nA, Ap_nG and Gp_nG (with n=3–6 in all cases). The reaction mixture was concentrated on a preparative C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The concentrate was displaced on a reversed-phase stationary. As a result of displacement chromatography, anion-exchange chromatography in gradient modus yielded baseline separated dinucleoside polyphosphates (homogeneity of the fractions>99%). The identity of the substances were determined by matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry.     

Cyclic 3′,5′-AMP phosphodiesterase in Physarum polycephalum: II. Kinetic properties

The effect of several inhibitors of the enzyme cyclic 3′,5′-AMP phosphodiesterase as chemoattractants in Physarum polycephalum was examined. Of the compounds tested, 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Roche 20-1724/001) and 1-ethyl-4-(isopropylidinehydrazino)-1H-pyrazolo-(3,4-b)-pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, hydrochloride (Squibb 20009) were the most potent attractants. 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, theophylline, and morin (a flavanoid) were moderate attractants and sometimes gave negative chemotaxis at high concentrations. Cyclic 3′,5′-AMP was an effective, but not potent attractant. A repellent effect following the positive chemotactic action was sometimes observed with cyclic 3′,5′-AMP at concentrations as high as 1 · 10⁻² M. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP appeared to be a somewhat more potent attractant than cyclic 3′,5′-AMP. The 8-thiomethyl and 8-bromoderivatives of cyclic AMP, which are poorly hydrolyzed by the phosphodiesterase, were not attractants in Physarum. Possible participation of cyclic 3′,5′-AMP in the directional movement in P. polycephalum is discussed.     

Dinucleoside 5′,5-P,P-Triphosphate Hydrolase from Yellow Lupin (Lupinus luteus) Seeds: Purification to Homogeneity and Hydrolysis of mRNA 5′-Cap Analogs

Three separable forms of diadenosine 5′,5-P¹,P³-triphosphate (Ap₃A)-degrading activity were revealed when proteins obtained from the meal of yellow lupin seeds by ammonium sulfate precipitation were chromatographed on a DEAE-Sephacel column. The major form, which eluted first at the lowest salt concentration (0.15MKCl), was free of any activity converting the reaction products, ADP and AMP. Its further purification by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and by affinity elution from an AMP-agarose column yielded homogeneous protein as demonstrated on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophorograms. The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain ofM_r41 kDa. Eleven guanosine-containing dinucleoside triphosphates, including analogs of the mRNA 5′-cap structure, have been tested as potential substrates of the lupin “Ap₃A hydrolase.” All have been hydrolyzed yielding mixtures of corresponding nucleoside mono- and diphosphates. Asymmetrical compounds gave four products; m⁷Gp₃G, et⁷Gp₃G, and bz⁷Gp₃G were hydrolyzed randomly, whereas m⁷Gp₃A, m⁷Gp₃C, and m⁷Gp₃U yielded at least 80% m⁷GMP plus corresponding NDP and 20% or less NMP plus m⁷GDP. Hydrolysis of the guanosine-containing hybrids, Ap₃G, Cp₃G, and Up₃G, yielded at least 85% GMP plus corresponding NDP. All dinucleotides containing the m⁷G- moiety were hydrolyzed 2- to 4.5-fold faster than Ap₃A. Thus a general name, “dinucleoside triphosphate hydrolase,” is more appropriate for the enzymatic activity described.     

Effect of ATP on the Calcium Efflux in Dialyzed Squid Giant Axons

Dialysis perfusion technique makes it possible to control the internal composition of squid giant axons. Calcium efflux has been studied in the presence and in the virtual absence (<5 µM) of ATP. The mean calcium efflux from axons dialyzed with 0.3 µM ionized calcium, [ATP]_i > 1,000 µM, and bathed in artificial seawater (ASW) was 0.24 ± 0.02 pmol·cm^-2·s^-1 (P/CS) (n = 8) at 22°C. With [ATP]_i < 5 µM the mean efflux was 0.11 ± 0.01 P/CS (n = 15). The curve relating calcium efflux to [ATP]_i shows a constant residual calcium efflux in the range of 1–100 µM [ATP]_i. An increase of the calcium efflux is observed when [ATP]_i is >100 µM and saturates at [ATP]_i > 1,000 µM. The magnitude of the ATP-dependent fraction of the calcium efflux varies with external concentrations of Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺, and Mg⁺⁺. These results suggest that internal ATP changes the affinity of the calcium transport system for external cations.     

m-Alkyl, α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenones: A new class of potent transition state analog inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase

A series of m-alkyl α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenones (1–5) was synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo california. All ketones (1–5) were found to be potent inhibitors of the enzyme; m-t-butyl α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenone (4) was the most potent inhibitor with a K_i value of 3.7 pM.     

Preparation and properties of 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5′-triphosphate, an analog of adenosine triphosphate

An analog of adenosine triphosphate, 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5′-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), was synthesized as a reporter-labeled substrate of heavy meromyosin ATPase. TNP-ATP was hydrolyzed by heavy meromyosin in the presence of CaCl₂ MgCl₂ or EDTA.TNP-ATP had absorption maxima at 259 nm, 408 nm and 470 nm at neutral pH. When bound to heavy meromyosin, TNP-ATP underwent the characteristic spectral shift. The difference spectrum resulting from the binding of TNP-ATP to heavy meromyosin at pH 8.0 had positive peaks at 415 nm and 518 nm, and a negative trough at 458 nm.The difference spectrum due to the binding of 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine (TNP-adenosine) to heavy meromyosin had small positive peaks at 420 nm and 495 nm. This difference spectrum was similar to that of TNP-ATP or TNP-adenosine produced by 20% (v/v) ethyleneglycol perturbation. The positive peak at 495 nm in the difference spectrum due to the binding of TNP-adenosine to heavy meromyosin shifted toward 505 nm, when pyrophosphate or ATP was added to the reaction mixture.These results suggest that the difference spectrum of TNP-ATP due to the interaction with heavy meromyosin arises not only from the binding of the chromophoric portion of the TNP-ATP molecule but also from that of the phosphate portion.     

In vivo determination of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA tumor tissue by a new P-postlabelling thin-layer chromatographic method

The halopyrimidine 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BUDR) can serve as one of many indicators of tumor malignity, complementary to histologic grade. We have developed a thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) technique that can assess tumor DNA base composition and analogue (BUDR) incorporation which vies with immunochemistry for BUDR. This requires post-labeling DNA by nick-translation and radioactive 5′-phosphorylation of representative ³²P-α-dNMPs (deoxynucleotide monophosphates). Subsequent 3′-monophosphate digest exchanges a radioactive ³²PO₄ for the neighboring cold nucleotide. Separation in two dimensional PEI-cellulose TLC is carried out in acetic acid, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and (NH₄)HS0₄. TLC of dNMPs was applied to control HeLa DNA, and HeLa cells receiving BUDR. BUDR is detected in 10⁶ HeLa cells after 12–72 h incubations. Findings in HeLa DNA demonstrate normal TLC retention factors for all ³²P-dNMPs. Two dimensional R_F (x,y axes in cm) demonstrate: dAMP=1.4, 9.4; dCMP=10.0, 13.5; dGMP=4.6, 4.4; dTMP=9.0, 7.4; and BUDRMP 6.4, 6.6. This technique quantifies BUDR-which parallels tumor S phase, and serves as an indicator of labelling index (LI).     

Conformational properties of Eu(III) complexes of 3,3′; 5,3″-polymethylene bridged derivatives of 2,2′; 6,2″-terpyridine

The complex [Eu(tpy)₃](ClO₄)₃ where TPY=2,2′; 6,2″-terpyridine, has been prepared and reexamined. The complex appears to be stable in acetonitrile solution with respect to decomplexation of the ligands but the addition of water does cause partial replacement of tpy. Analogous complexes have been prepared with 3,3′; 5,3″-polymethylene bridged derivatives of tpy having two or three carbons in the bridge. The bridging enforces a cisoid geometry of the ligand and prohibits its replacement by added water. An X-ray determination was carried out for [Eu(3b)₃](ClO₄)₃, where 3b=3,3′; 5,3″-dimethylene tpy, which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=11.908(4), b=15.768(5), c=29.513(9) Å, β=93.60(2)°, μ=13.5 cm⁻¹ and Z=4. The complex forms a tricapped trigonal prism with each of the ligands adopting the same dl conformation. Variable temperature NMR analysis of the bridged ligand complexes indicates that conformational inversion of the bound ligand is not a concerted process and barriers for inversion of individual methylene units can be estimated from coalescence of the signals from the geminal methylene protons. The luminescence properties of the bridged tpy complexes are similar to the parent unbridged system.     

2′-Azido-2′-deoxy- and 2′-amino-2′-deoxy-β-d-arabino-furanosyl purine nucleosides

A general method for the preparation of 2′-azido-2′-deoxy- and 2′-amino-2′-deoxyarabinofuranosyl-adenine and -guanine nucleosides is described. Selective benzoylation of 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose afforded 3-azido-6-O-benzoyl-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose (1). Acid hydrolysis of 1, followed by oxidation with sodium metaperiodate and hydrolysis by sodium hydrogencarbonate gave 2-azido-2-deoxy-5-O-benzoyl-d-arabinofuranose (3), which was acetylated to give 1,3-di-O-acetyl-2-azido-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-d-arabinofuranose (4). Compound 4 was converted into the 1-chlorides 5 and 6, which were condensed with silylated derivatives of 6-chloropurine and 2-acetamido-hypoxanthine. The condensation reaction gave α and β anomers of both 7- and 9-substituted purine nucleosides. The structures of the nucleosides were determined by n.m.r. and u.v. spectroscopy, and by correlation of the c.d. spectra of the newly prepared nucleosides with those published for known purine nucleosides.