Synthesis of Racemic 5-Substituted 1-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-6-azauracils and Their Isosteric Isomers

Abstract

Acyclic nucleoside analogues of antiviral DHPA and HPMPA have been prepared. Coupling of silylated 6-azauracils with benzyl glycidyl ether and stannic chloride followed by the deprotection with boron trichloride gave 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6-azauracils (3) in good overall yields. Reaction of silylated 6-azauracil and epichlorohydrin with or without catalytic stannic chloride afforded 1-(2-chloro-3-hydroxypropyl)-6-azauracil (4a) and 1-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)-6-azauracil (6a) respectively. Coupling of silylated 6-azaisocytosine under the same reaction conditions provided 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6-azaisocytosine (9) and 1-(2-chloro-3-hydroxypropyl)-6-azaisocytosine (10) respectively. None of the compounds exhibited significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses.     

5-Phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate synthetase converts the acyclic nucleoside phosphonates 9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine directly to their antivirally active diphosphate derivatives.

The acyclic nucleoside phosphonates 9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (HPMPA) and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) are potent inhibitors of DNA viruses and retroviruses, respectively. Unlike nucleoside triphosphates, the metabolically active (diphosphorylated) forms of HPMPA and PMEA (designated HPMPApp and PMEApp) are synthesized in a reversible reaction in which the pyrophosphate group of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) is directly transferred to HPMPA and PMEA by purified PRPP synthetase. In this respect, PRPP synthetase does not act stereospecifically in that it recognizes both the S-enantiomer and the R-enantiomer of HPMPA as substrate. PRPP synthetase also recognizes other acyclic adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine riboside phosphonates as a substrate. It is now imperative to evaluate the potential role of PRPP synthetase, as activating enzyme, in the antiviral action of this type of molecules in intact cells.     

Phosphonylmethoxyalkyl derivatives of purine as inhibitors of human hepatitis B virus DNA synthesis

A selected number of antiviral compounds which have been previously shown to inhibit the replication of DNA viruses or retroviruses were examined for their inhibitory effects on human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA synthesis. The assay system was based on the use of a human hepatoblastoma cell line (HB611) that continuously synthesizes HBV DNA. The following phosphonylmethoxyalkyl-purine derivatives were found to inhibit HBV DNA synthesis: 9-(2-phosphonyl-methoxyethyl)-2',6'-diaminopurine (PMEDAP), (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (HPMPA) and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA). PMEDAP, HPMPA and PMEA not only inhibit HBV DNA synthesis in HB611 cells but also duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA and core antigen synthesis in primary duck hepatocytes.     

The effect of some 9-substituted adenine derivatives on the development of seedling roots of broad bean

Seedlings ofVicia faba L. were cultured on diluted Knop’s solution containing one of the tested substances: 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine (DHPA), 3-0-phosphonylmethyl DHPA (DHPA phosphonate), 3-(adenin-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acid and its esters, (2R,3R)-4-(adenin-9-yl)-2,3-dihydroxybutanoic acid (D-eritadenine) and its methyl ester. The development of main and side roots was checked. Most of the substances tested were more powerful inhibitors than DHPA. The results are discussed in connection with the role of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in plant objects.     

Synthesis of the Nucleotide Analogue: (R,S)-9-[1-(2-Hydroxyethylthio)-2-phosphonylethyl] Adenine

Abstract

The acyclic nucleotide analogue (R,S)-9-[1-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-2-phosphonylethyl] adenine [HETPEA, 4] was prepared by coupling the adenine potassium salt with diethyl ethynylphosphonate followed by condensation of the product with 2-mercaptoethanol.     

Antiviral potential of a new generation of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, the 6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidines

Three acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) have been formally approved for clinical use in the treatment of 1) cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients (cidofovir, by the intravenous route), 2) chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections (adefovir dipivoxil, by the oral route), and 3) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, by the oral route). The activity spectrum of cidofovir {(S)- 1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine [(S)-HPMPC)]}, like that of (S)-HPMPA [(S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine) and (S)-HPMPDAP [(S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2, 6-diaminopurine), encompasses a broad spectrum of DNA viruses, including polyoma-, papilloma-, adeno-, herpes-, and poxviruses. Adefovir {9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA)} and tenofovir [(R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy) propyl]adenine [(R)-PMPA)]} are particularly active against retroviruses (ie., HIV) and hepadnaviruses (ie., HBV); additionally, PMEA also shows activity against herpes- and poxviruses. We have recently identified a new class of ANPs, namely 6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidines, named, in analogy with their alkylpurine counterparts, HPMPO-DAPy, PMEO-DAPy, and (R)-PMPO-DAPy. These compounds exhibit an antiviral activity spectrum and potency that is similar to that of (S)-HPMPDAP, PMEA, and (R)-PMPA, respectively. Thus, PMEO-DAPy and (R)-PMPO-DAPy, akin to PMEA and (R)-PMPA, proved particularly active against HIV- 1, HIV-2, and the murine retrovirus Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV). PMEO-DAPy and (R)-PMPO-DAPy also showed potent activity against both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant strains of HBV. HPMPO-DAPy was found to inhibit different poxviruses (ie., vaccinia, cowpox, and orf) at a similar potency as cidofovir. HPMPO-DAPy also proved active against adenoviruses. In vivo, HPMPO-DAPy proved equipotent to cidofovir in suppressing vaccinia virus infection (tail lesion formation) in immunocompetent mice and promoting healing of disseminated vaccinia lesions in athymic-nude mice. The 6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidines offer substantial potential for the treatment of a broad range of retro-, hepadna-, herpes-, adeno-, and poxvirus infections.     

Synthesis and Biological Properties of 9-(2, 4-Dihydroxybutyl) Adenine and Guanine: New Analogues Of 9-(2, 3-Dihydroxyprqpyl)adenine (Dhpa) and 9-(2-Hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine (Acyclovir)

Abstract

New analogues of antiviral agents 9-(2, 3-dihy-droxyproply) adenine (DHPA, 1a.) and 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine (acyclovir, Ib) - compounds Ic and Id were prepared and their biological activity was investigated. Racemic 1, 2, 4-butanetriol (2) was converted to the corresponding benzylidene derivative (3a) by acetalation with benzalde-hyde and triethyl orthoformate. Acetal 3a and p-toluene- sul-fonyl chloride in pyridine gave the corresponding p-toluenes fonate 3b. Alkylation of adenine 5a via sodium salt of 5a with 3b in dimethylformamide or in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran gave intermediate 6a. Reaction of 2-amino-6-chloropurine (5b) with 3b effected by K₂CO₃ in dimethylsulfoxide gave compound 6b and a smaller amount of 7-alkylated proauct 7. A similar transformation catalyzed by tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride afforded only intermediate 5b. Acid-catalyzed de-protection (hydrolysis) of 6b and 6a gave the title compounds Ic and Id. The S-enantiomer of Ic was deaminated with adenosine deaminase. Our results argue against the presence of a methyl group-binding site of adenosine deaminase. Compounds Ic and Id exhibited little or no activity in antiviral assays with several DNA and RNA viruses.     

ANTIVIRAL POTENTIAL OF A NEW GENERATION OF ACYCLIC NUCLEOSIDE PHOSPHONATES,THE 6-[2-(PHOSPHONOMETHOXY)ALKOXY]-2,4-DIAMINOPYRIMIDINES

Three acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) have been formally approved for clinical use in the treatment of 1) cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients (cidofovir, by the intravenous route), 2) chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections (adefovir dipivoxil, by the oral route), and 3) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, by the oral route). The activity spectrum of cidofovir {(S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine [(S)-HPMPC)]}, like that of (S)-HPMPA {(S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine} and (S)-HPMPDAP {(S)-9-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine}, encompasses a broad spectrum of DNA viruses, including polyoma-, papilloma-, adeno-, herpes-, and poxviruses. Adefovir {9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA)} and tenofovir {(R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy) propyl]adenine [(R)-PMPA)]} are particularly active against retroviruses (i.e., HIV) and hepadnaviruses (i.e., HBV); additionally, PMEA also shows activity against herpes- and poxviruses. We have recently identified a new class of ANPs, namely 6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidines, named, in analogy with their alkylpurine counterparts, HPMPO-DAPy, PMEO-DAPy, and (R)-PMPO-DAPy. These compounds exhibit an antiviral activity spectrum and potency that is similar to that of (S)-HPMPDAP, PMEA, and (R)-PMPA, respectively. Thus, PMEO-DAPy and (R)-PMPO-DAPy, akin to PMEA and (R)-PMPA, proved particularly active against HIV-1, HIV-2, and the murine retrovirus Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV). PMEO-DAPy and (R)-PMPO-DAPy also showed potent activity against both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant strains of HBV. HPMPO-DAPy was found to inhibit different poxviruses (i.e., vaccinia, cowpox, and orf) at a similar potency as cidofovir. HPMPO-DAPy also proved active against adenoviruses. In vivo, HPMPO-DAPy proved equipotent to cidofovir in suppressing vaccinia virus infection (tail lesion formation) in immunocompetent mice and promoting healing of disseminated vaccinia lesions in athymic-nude mice. The 6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]-2,4-diaminopyrimidines offer substantial potential for the treatment of a broad range of retro-, hepadna-, herpes-, adeno-, and poxvirus infections.     

X-ray study of an antiviral agent (S)-9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine

The molecular and crystal structures of the antiviral compound, (S)-9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine, was established. The space group is P21, unit-cell parameters a 5,546(1), b 8,381(1), c 10,119(1), beta 91,979(9) degrees, Z2. The structure was solved by the direct method and refined by a full-matrix least-squares procedure to R 4,2%. All non-hydrogen atoms of this compound are concentrated in two planes. The first one involves the atoms of the purine moiety and N(6) and C(1'), while the second one accommodates C(2'), C(3'), O(2') and O(3'). The angle between these planes is 54,3 degrees. The conformation of the compound in crystal was compared with that deduced from theoretical analysis.     

Synthesis of 9-[1-(substituted)-2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine derivatives as possible antiviral agents

Various C-1'-substituted acyclic N9 adenine nucleosides were prepared from 9-[(1-hydroxymethyl)(3-monomethoxytrityloxy)propyl]-N6-monomethoxytrityladenine. The hydroxymethyl was modified to the phosphonomethoxy derivative, and the 3-monomethoxytrityloxy was converted to hydroxyl, methoxy, azido, and amino. Other substituents, such as ethyl and ea-hydroxyethyl were also prepared. The resulting phosphonomethoxy derivatives were converted to prodrugs.     

The Bis-Trityl Route to (S)-HPMPA

Abstract

(S)-HPMPA, (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonyl)methoxypropyl)-adenine 1, a broad spectrum adenine nucleotide antiviral, was prepared from (S)-DHPA 2. Protection of (S)-DHPA 2 as its′ N,O-di-trityl derivative 3 followed by regioselective 2′-O-alkylation with p-toluene-sulfonyloxymethyldiethylphosphonate yielded bis-trityl-protected diethyl-(S)-HPMPA 4. De-protection and ester cleavage gave (S)-HPMPA 1.     

Formation of 3-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl) and 9-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl) nucleosides of 8-substituted purines by nucleoside deoxyribosyltransferase

Earlier results suggested that although the N-deoxyribosyltransferase from lactobacilli is a convenient tool for the preparation of analogs of 2'-deoxyadenosine, 8-substituted purines do not act as substrates. However, eight of nine 8-substituted purines that were examined proved to be substrates for the transferase from Lactobacillus leichmannii, and deoxyribonucleosides of four of these bases have been prepared. The substituents at C-8 of the purine greatly affect the rate of deoxyribosyl transfer to the base, and in all cases the rate is slower than transfer to purines lacking an 8-substituent. The 8-substituent also affects the nature of the nucleoside formed. With the electron-donating methyl group at position 8 of adenine, the transferase forms the expected 8-methyl-9-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)adenine. However, when purines bearing an electron-withdrawing substituent at the 8-position are used as substrates, the deoxyribosyl moiety is preferentially transferred to N-3 of the base. In the case of 8-trifluoromethyladenine the 3-deoxyribonucleoside is the only product detectable. With 8-bromo or 8-chloroadenine as substrate the 3- and 9-deoxyribonucleosides can both be isolated from the enzymatic reaction mixture. Time course studies indicated that with thymidine and 8-bromoadenine as substrates the 3-deoxyribonucleoside is initially the major product, but that the 9-deoxyribonucleoside becomes the major product after long incubation periods. Negligible interconversion of these nucleosides occurs in the absence of transferase, but conversion in either direction occurs readily in the presence of the enzyme. Significant hydrolysis of pyrimidine and purine deoxyribonucleosides occurs in the presence of the transferase. This was more obvious during the course of reactions involving 8-substituted purines because the slowness of deoxyribosyl transfer required longer incubation periods and larger amounts of enzyme. The hydrolysis is proportional to enzyme concentration, little affected by the nature of the base and is attributed to hydrolysis of a deoxyribosyl derivative of the transferase which is an obligatory intermediate of deoxyribosyl transfer. 8-Trifluoromethyl-3-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)adenine, 8-methyl-9-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)adenine, and 8-bromo-9-(2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)adenine were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of CCRF-CEM cells in culture. Unlike the potent 2-halogeno-2'-deoxyadenosine derivatives, these three nucleosides cause less than 50% inhibition at concentrations up to 100 microM.     

Stereoselective synthesis of chirally deuterated (S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucose

Chirally deuterated (S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucose has been prepared in good overall yield from d-(6,6'-(2)H(2))glucose by a short, five-step synthesis from D-(6,6-(2)H(2))glucose utilizing (R)-(+)-Alpine-Borane [(R)-9-[(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-yl)methyl]-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane]. Suitably protected methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D-(6,6-(2)H(2))glucopyranoside was prepared and the deuterated O-6 primary alcohol was oxidized to an aldehyde by Swern oxidation. Stereoselective reduction with nondeuterated (R)-(+)-Alpine-Borane gave methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-(6S)-D-(6-(2)H(1))glucopyranoside, which was deprotected under standard conditions to afford the title compound. The key stereoselective reduction step was achieved in 90% yield. The preparation uses economical, commercially available starting materials and will be useful for elucidating biosynthetic mechanisms.     

Synthesis of N6-substituted 9-[3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine derivatives as possible antiviral agents

A number of N6-substituted 9-[3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine derivatives having hydroxymethyl at C-1' position were prepared from the appropriate 6-chloroadenine derivative. The syntheses of the corresponding prodrugs of these compounds are also reported. These compounds showed poor activity against HCV in replicon assay.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of N9-[3-fluoro-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] analogues derived from N6-substituted adenines and 2,6-diaminopurines

An efficient method for the synthesis of N(9)-[3-fluoro-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] (FPMP) derivatives of purine bases has been developed. Both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the N(6)-substituted FPMP derivatives of adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine were prepared and their anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV) activity was evaluated. Whereas none of the 6-substituted FPMPA derivatives showed any antiviral activity, several FPMPDAP derivatives had a moderate antiretroviral activity. Moreover, the data obtained from the study of the substrate activity of the active derivatives towards N(6)-methyl-AMP aminohydrolase support the notion that the studied N(6)-substituted FPMPDAP derivatives act as prodrugs of the antiretroviral FPMPG analogues.     

Intramolecular stacking interactions in ternary copper(II) complexes formed by a heteroaromatic amine and 9-[2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl]adenine, a relative of the antiviral nucleotide analogue 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine

The stability constants of the mixed-ligand complexes formed between Cu(Arm)2+, where Arm=2,2'-bipyridine (Bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), and the dianions of 9-[2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PEEA2-) and (2-phosphonoethoxy)ethane (PEE2-), also known as [2-(2-ethoxy)ethyl]phosphonate, were determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 degrees C; I=0.1 M, NaNO3). The ternary Cu(Arm)(PEEA) complexes are considerably more stable than the corresponding Cu(Arm)(R-PO3) species, where R-PO3(2-) represents a phosph(on)ate ligand with a group R that is unable to participate in any kind of interaction within the complexes. The increased stability is attributed to intramolecular stack formation in the Cu(Arm)(PEEA) complexes and also, to a smaller extent, to the formation of 6-membered chelates involving the ether oxygen atom present in the -CH2-O-CH2-CH2-PO3(2-) residue of PEEA2-. This latter interaction is separately quantified by studying the ternary Cu(Arm)(PEE) complexes which can form the 6-membered chelates but where no intramolecular ligand-ligand stacking is possible. Application of these results allows a quantitative analysis of the intramolecular equilibria involving three structurally different Cu(Arm)(PEEA) species; e.g., of the Cu(Bpy)(PEEA) system about 11% exist with the metal ion solely coordinated to the phosphonate group, 4% as a 6-membered chelate involving the ether oxygen atom of the -CH2-O-CH2CH2-PO3(2-) residue, and 85% with an intramolecular stack between the adenine moiety of PEEA2- and the aromatic rings of Bpy. In addition, the Cu(Arm)(PEEA) complexes may be protonated, leading to Cu(Arm)(H;PEEA)+ species for which it is concluded that the proton is located at the phosphonate group and that the complexes are mainly formed (50 and 70%) by a stacking adduct between Cu(Arm)2+ and the adenine residue of H(PEEA)-. Finally, the stacking properties of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP2-), of the dianion of 9-[2-(phophonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA2-) and of several of its analogues (=PA2-) are compared in their ternary Cu(Arm)(AMP) and Cu(Arm)(PA) systems. Conclusions regarding the antiviral properties of several acyclic nucleoside phosphonates are shortly discussed.     

Radiolabeled guanine derivatives for the in vivo mapping of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase: 6-(4-[(18)F]Fluoro-benzyloxy)-9H-purin-2-ylamine and 6-(3-[(131)I]Iodo-benzyloxy)-9H-purin-2-ylamine

Two radiolabeled analogues of 6-benzyloxy-9H-purin-2-ylamine (O(6)-benzylguanine; BG) potentially useful in the in vivo mapping of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) were synthesized. Fluorine-18 labeling of the known 6-(4-fluoro-benzyloxy)-9H-purin-2-ylamine (FBG; 6) was accomplished by the condensation of 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl alcohol with 2-aminopurin-6-yltrimethylammonium chloride (4) or 2-amino-6-chloropurine in average decay-corrected radiochemical yields of 40 and 25%, respectively. Unlabeled 6-(3-iodo-benzyloxy)-9H-purin-2-ylamine (IBG; 7) was prepared from 4 and 3-iodobenzyl alcohol. Radioiodination of 9, prepared from 7 in two steps, and subsequent deprotection gave [(131)I]7 in about 70% overall radiochemical yield. The IC(50) values for the inactivation of AGT from CHO cells transfected with pCMV-AGT were 15 nM for IBG and 50 nM for FBG. The binding of [(18)F]6 and [(131)I]7 to purified AGT was specific and saturable with both exhibiting similar IC(50) values (5-6 microM).     

The Mode of Inhibition of TMV- and PVX-Induced RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases by some Antiphytoviral Drugs

Six nucleobase and nucleoside analogues (6-aminouracil [6-AU], 6-aminothymin [6-AT], 6-fluorothymin [6-FT], 2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine [DHT], 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) adenine [DHPA] and 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-carboxamid [ribavirin]) with potential antiphytoviral activity were tested in an in vitro replication system for their effect on tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-and potato virus X(PVX)-induced RNA dependent RNA polymerase. 6-AU, 6-AT, 6-FT, and DHPA inhibited both polymerases which may be a target of these compounds. A Putative noncompetitive mode of inhibition is discussed. Whereas ribavirin did not affect the in vitr RNA synthesis in the established systems, the uracil-derivative DHT inhibited only the PVX-specific enzyme.     

The effect of 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) adenine (DHPA) on seedling roots ofVicia faba L. in comparison with adenine,adenosine and some cytokinins

3-day-old seedlings ofVicia faba L. were put onto a diluted Knop’s solution containing the tested substances within the intentional concentration range and left there for 7 days. In comparison with controls in plain nutrient solution, the DHPA treated plants revealed a suppression of shoot and root development. The main root growth was less sensitive than root branching. 8 h exposure was sufficient to gain a distinct effect. Microscopically the block of mitosis and/or cytokinesis, the formation of binucleate cells and local tissue damage were revealed. Under the given conditions, the cytokinins (BAP, (9R)BAP, iP, (9R)iP) proved to be much more powerful inhibitors than DHPA, whereas adenine and adenosine were less impairing.