SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF 4′-C-HYDROXYMETHYL-2′-FLUORO-D-ARABINOFURANOSYLPURINE NUCLEOSIDES

A series of 4′-C-hydroxymethyl-2′-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides was prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity in human tumor cell lines. A convenient synthesis of the carbohydrate precursor 4-C-hydroxymethyl-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-2-fluoro-α-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide (13) was developed. Coupling of 13 with the sodium salt of 2,6-dichloropurine led to five target purine nucleosides.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 4'-C-hydroxymethyl-2'-fluro-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides

A series of 4'-C-hydroxymethyl-2'-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides was prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity. The details of a convenient synthesis of the carbohydrate precursor 4-C-hydroxymethyl-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-2-fluoro-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide (13) are presented. Proof of the structure and configuration at all chiral centers of the sugars and the nucleosides were obtained by proton NMR. All five target nucleosides were evaluated for cytotoxicity in human tumor cell lines. The 4'-C-hydroxymethyl clofarabine analogue (16beta) showed slight cytotoxicity in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells.     

Functionalization of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides at C4 and C6: C-nucleophilic substitution of their C4- and C6-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) derivatives

A study of C-nucleophilic substitution at the C4-position on pyrimidine and C6-position on 2'-deoxyguanosine to produce novel nucleosides is presented with the spectroscopic properties of their respective substitution products. C4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pyrimidine nucleosides 1 were treated with nitroalkanes, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate, acetoacetate and cyanoacetate at 100 degrees C in dioxane in the presence of DBU resulting in the production of novel nucleosides 2-11. To explore the application of this methodology to purine chemistry, this approach was used to produce novel analogs from 2'-deoxyguanosine. We found that the triazolo derivative 12 undergoes C-nucleophilic substitution with nitromethane, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate and cyanoacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) in DMF at 100 degrees C to give novel nucleosides 13-17.     

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF 4′-C-HYDROXYMETHYL-2′-FLUORO- D-ARABINOFURANOSYLPURINE NUCLEOSIDES

A series of 4′-C-hydroxymethyl-2′-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides was prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity. The details of a convenient synthesis of the carbohydrate precursor 4-C-hydroxymethyl-3,5-di-O-benzoyl-2-fluoro-α-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide (13) are presented. Proof of the structure and configuration at all chiral centers of the sugars and the nucleosides were obtained by proton NMR. All five target nucleosides were evaluated for cytotoxicity in human tumor cell lines. The 4′-C-hydroxymethyl clofarabine analogue (16β) showed slight cytotoxicity in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells.     

FUNCTIONALIZATION OF PYRIMIDINE AND PURINE NUCLEOSIDES AT C4 AND C6: C-NUCLEOPHILIC SUBSTITUTION OF THEIR C4- AND C6-(1,2,4-TRIAZOL-1-YL) DERIVATIVES

A study of C-nucleophilic substitution at the C4-position on pyrimidine and C6-position on 2′-deoxyguanosine to produce novel nucleosides is presented with the spectroscopic properties of their respective substitution products. C4-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pyrimidine nucleosides 1 were treated with nitroalkanes, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate, acetoacetate and cyanoacetate at 100°C in dioxane in the presence of DBU resulting in the production of novel nucleosides 2–11. To explore the application of this methodology to purine chemistry, this approach was used to produce novel analogs from 2′-deoxyguanosine. We found that the triazolo derivative 12 undergoes C-nucleophilic substitution with nitromethane, malononitrile, acetylacetone, ethyl nitroacetate and cyanoacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) in DMF at 100°C to give novel nucleosides 13–7.     

Antiviral activity of cyclopentenyl nucleosides against orthopox viruses (Smallpox,monkeypox and cowpox)

An improved method for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure D-cyclopentenyl nucleosides has been accomplished and their antiviral activity against orthopox viruses have been evaluated. The key intermediate, L-cyclopent-2-enone 13 was prepared from D-ribose using a ring closing metathesis reaction in eight steps. Among the synthesized nucleosides, the adenine 2 (Neplanocin A), cytosine 14, and 5-F-cytosine 15 analogues exhibited potent anti-orthopox virus activity, including smallpox virus.     

Synthesis of 5-alkynylated d4T analogues as potential HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A series of 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides substituted with an alkynylhydroxy- (6, 7, 12 and 13) and alkynylamino- (20) groups at the C-5 position were synthesized. All these five target modified nucleosides were tested for anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activity in CEM-SS and MT-4 cells and unfortunately displayed no improvement in antiviral activity.     

Simple synthesis and anti-HIV activity of novel cyclopentene phosphonate nucleosides

A very simple synthetic route for novel cyclopentene phosphonate nucleosides is described. The characteristic cyclopentene moiety 6 was constructed via a ring-closing metathesis of divinyl 5, which could be readily prepared from diethylmalonate. The condensation of the mesylate 11 with nucleobases (A, C, T, U) under nucleophilic substitution conditions (K2CO3, 18-Crown-6, DMF) afforded the target nucleosides 12, 13, 14, and 15. In addition, the antiviral evaluations against various viruses were performed.     

Inhibition of reproduction of the human immunodeficiency virus in cell culture by 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside-5'-phosphites]

5'-Phosphites (5'-hydrogenphosphonates) of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (T, A, G, C) were synthesized and studied as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in MT4 and CEM13 cell cultures. It was shown that all 5'-phosphites effectively inhibit the production of viral antigens and protect cells from the cytotoxic effect of HIV infection. 5'-Phosphites were more active antiviral compounds than the corresponding nucleosides.     

13C magnetic resonance investigation of mercury (II) binding to nucleosides and thiolated nucleosides in dimethyl sulfoxide.

Natural abundance, proton-decoupled 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy is shown to be a useful technique for identifying the mercury (II) binding sites on nucleosides and especially thiolated nucleosides. Measurements made on dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 solutions, 0.5 M in nucleoside and 0.15 M in mercury, reveal that both CH3 HgCl and HgCl2 bind principally to the sulfur atoms of s6 Guo and s8 Guo. The 13C NMR spectra of the unthiolated nucleosides in the presence of excess (4:1) mercury reveal that HgCl2 binds to N-3 of cytidine, to more than one site on adenosine and guanosine, but not strongly to uridine. Excess HgCl2 shifts the thiocarbonyl carbon atoms in s6 Guo and s8 Guo approx. 16 ppm upfield compared to the free nucleosides, and there is evidence for additional coordination to N-7 of s6 Guo. Binding to the ribose hydroxyl groups is clearly ruled out. At least in these instances, 13C NMR proves to be useful for assigning the mercury (II) binding sites, complementing the results of proton magnetic resonance studies. Proton NMR data for the binding of CH3 HgCl and HgCl2 to s6 Guo and s8 Guo are also presented.     

Synthesis of N-substituted 1-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole-2-thione-N-nucleosides and S-glycosylated derivatives

Fusion of the N-substituted 1-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole-2-thiones 1-4 with the peracylated ribose 5 in the presence of iodine afforded the N-nucleosides 6-9 in moderate yields. Deblocking with NaOMe/MeOH gave the free nucleosides 10-13. Alternatively, silylation of 4 followed by ribosylation with 5 in the presence of TMSOTf as catalyst afforded 9 in moderate yield. Ribosylation of 4 with the chlorodeoxyribose derivative 15 as well as 5 in the presence of NaH in DMF afforded the thioglycosides 16 and 18, respectively. Deblocking of 16 and 18 with NaOMe/MeOH gave the free S-thioglycosides 17 and 19, respectively. Thermal rearrangement of 19 at high temperature in the presence of iodine furnished 13 in low yield. The new free nucleosides and thioglycosides were inactive against HIV-1 and HIV-2 induced cytopathicity in human MT-4 lymphocyte cells.     

New sulphonamide and carboxamide derivatives of acyclic C-nucleosides of triazolo-thiadiazole and the thiadiazine analogues. Synthesis, anti-HIV, and antitumor activities. Part 2

A new series of acyclic C-nucleosides 1',2'-O-isopropylidene-D-ribo-tetritol-1-yl)[1,2,4] triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles bearing arylsulfonamide (5-8) and arylcarboxamide (9-12) residues have been synthesized under microwave irradiation. Thiadiazines 13-15 have been analogously prepared, and upon acid hydrolysis, afforded the free nucleosides 16-18. The new synthesized compounds were assayed against HIV-1 and HIV-2 in MT-4 cells. Compound 7 was also screened against a panel of tumor cell lines consisting of CD4 human T-cells.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2',4'- and 3',4'-bridged nucleoside analogues

Most nucleosides in solution typically exist in equilibrium between two major sugar pucker forms, N-type and S-type, but bridged nucleosides can be locked into one of these conformations depending on their specific structure. While many groups have researched these bridged nucleosides for the purpose of determining their binding affinity for antisense applications, we opted to look into the potential for biological activity within these conformationally-locked structures. A small library of 2',4'- and 3',4'-bridged nucleoside analogues was synthesized, including a novel 3',4'-carbocyclic bridged system. The synthesized compounds were tested for antibacterial, antitumor, and antiviral activities, leading to the identification of nucleosides possessing such biological activities. To the best of our knowledge, these biologically active compounds represent the first example of 2',4'-bridged nucleosides to demonstrate such properties. The most potent compound, nucleoside 33, exhibited significant antiviral activity against pseudoviruses SF162 (IC(50)=7.0 μM) and HxB2 (IC(50)=2.4 μM). These findings render bridged nucleosides as credible leads for drug discovery in the anti-HIV area of research.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 evaluation of phosphonates which mimic the 5′-monophosphate of 4′-branched 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy nucleosides

Synthesis of the 4′-ethynyl and 4′-cyano phosphonates 8–11, which mimic the 5′-monophosphate of 4′-branched 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy nucleosides, was investigated by employing the 3′,4′-unsaturated nucleosides (13 and 28) as the starting material. The synthesis was initiated by the electrophilic addition of NIS/(EtO)₂P(O)CH₂OH to these unsaturated nucleosides. After introduction of the 2′,3′-double bond, the 4′-hydroxylmethyl group of the resulting adducts was transformed into the ethynyl or cyano group. While the 4′-cyano phosphonates 9 and 11 were not sufficiently stable to be isolated, the 4′-ethynyl counterparts (8 and 10) were obtained as their mono-ammonium salts. The adenine derivative 8 showed almost comparable anti-HIV-1 activity to that of d4T.     

Synthesis and properties of 2'-deoxy-8,2'-methylene-cyclopurine nucleosides

A method was developed to synthesize 2'-deoxy-8,2'-methylene-cycloadenosine (1) and -cycloguanosine (2) which were new carbon-bridged cyclopurine nucleosides fixed in a high-anti torsional angle region. 3',5'-Di-O-acetyl-8-methanesulfonyl-2'-O-p-toluene-sulfonyladenosine+ ++ (3) or 2-acetamido-9- (3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-O-p-toluenesulfonyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6- ethoxy-8-methanesulfonyl-purine (9) was treated with sodium salt of ethyl malonate to give the cyclized nucleosides (4 and 10) in good yields, respectively. Subsequent decarboxylation and deblocking of 4 and 10 afforded 1 and 2 in crystalline form, respectively.     

Synthesis and anti-HCV activity of a series of β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-dibromo nucleosides and their corresponding phosphoramidate prodrugs

Several β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-substituted nucleoside analogs have displayed potent and selective anti-HCV activities and some of them have reached human clinical trials. In that regard, we report herein the synthesis of a series of 2′-deoxy,2′-dibromo substituted U, C, G and A nucleosides 10a–d and their corresponding phosphoramidate prodrugs 13a–d. The synthesized nucleosides 10a–d and prodrugs 13a–d were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HCV as well as cellular toxicity. The results showed that the most potent compound was prodrug 13a, which exhibited micromolar inhibitory activity (EC₅₀?=?1.5?±?0.8?µM) with no observed toxicity. In addition, molecular modeling and free energy perturbation calculations for the 5′-triphosphate formed from 13a and related 2′-modified nucleotides are discussed.     

Renal nucleoside transporters: physiological and clinical implications.

Renal handling of physiological and pharmacological nucleosides is a major determinant of their plasma levels and tissue availabilities. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics and normal tissue toxicities of nucleoside drugs are influenced by their handling in the kidney. Renal reabsorption or secretion of nucleosides is selective and dependent on integral membrane proteins, termed nucleoside transporters (NTs) present in renal epithelia. The 7 known human NTs (hNTs) exhibit varying permeant selectivities and are divided into 2 protein families: the solute carrier (SLC) 29 (SLC29A1, SLC29A2, SLC29A3, SLC29A4) and SLC28 (SLC28A1, SLC28A2, SLC28A3) proteins, otherwise known, respectively, as the human equilibrative NTs (hENTs, hENT1, hENT2, hENT3, hENT4) and human concentrative NTs (hCNTs, hCNT1, hCNT2, hCNT3). The well characterized hENTs (hENT1 and hENT2) are bidirectional facilitative diffusion transporters in plasma membranes; hENT3 and hENT4 are much less well known, although hENT3, found in lysosomal membranes, transports nucleosides and is pH dependent, whereas hENT4-PMAT is a H+-adenosine cotransporter as well as a monoamine-organic cation transporter. The 3 hCNTs are unidirectional secondary active Na+-nucleoside cotransporters. In renal epithelial cells, hCNT1, hCNT2, and hCNT3 at apical membranes, and hENT1 and hENT2 at basolateral membranes, apparently work in concert to mediate reabsorption of nucleosides from lumen to blood, driven by Na+ gradients. Secretion of some physiological nucleosides, therapeutic nucleoside analog drugs, and nucleotide metabolites of therapeutic nucleoside and nucleobase drugs likely occurs through various xenobiotic transporters in renal epithelia, including organic cation transporters, organic anion transporters, multidrug resistance related proteins, and multidrug resistance proteins. Mounting evidence suggests that hENT1 may have a presence at both apical and basolateral membranes of renal epithelia, and thus may participate in both selective secretory and reabsorptive fluxes of nucleosides. In this review, the renal handling of nucleosides is examined with respect to physiological and clinical implications for the regulation of human kidney NTs and adenosine signaling, intracellular nucleoside transport, and nephrotoxicities associated with some nucleoside drugs.     

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SOME 4-SUBSTITUTED 1-[1-(4-HYDROXYBUTYL)-1,2,3-TRIAZOL-(4 & 5)-YLMETHYL]-1H-PYRAZOLO-[3,4-d]PYRIMIDINES

The synthesis of 1-[1-(4-hydroxybutyl)-1,2,3-triazol-(4 and 5)-ylmethyl] -1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines 11a,b, 12a,b and 13–17 as carboacyclic nucleosides is described. The compounds 8a,b were condensed, separately, with compound 7 via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to afford, after separation and deprotection, 1,4-regioisomers 11a,b and 1,5-regioisomers 12a,b. The deprotected carboacyclic nucleosides 11a served as precursor for the preparation of 4-amino 13, 4-methylamino 14, 4-benzylamino 15, 4-methoxy 16 and 4-hydroxy 17 analogues. All deprotected carboacyclic nucleosides were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the replication of HIV-1(III_B), HIV-2(ROD), various DNA viruses, a variety of tumor-cell lines and tuberculosis. No marked biological activity was found.     

Selective synthesis and application to the synthesis of (E)-fluorovinyl nucleosides

A selective method for synthesizing (E)-fluorovinyl was developed. Novel acyclic (E)-fluorovinyl versions of neplanocin A were designed and selectively synthesized as potential antiviral agents. The condensation of the bromide 7 with the nucleosidic bases (5-FU, C, A, G) and the deprotection afforded the desired acyclic fluorovinyl nucleosides. The synthesized compounds 11, 12, 13, and 16 were evaluated for their antiviral activity. The guanine derivative 16 showed toxicity-dependent anti-HIV-1 activity in MT-4 cells.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 1,5- and 1,3-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazole C-nucleosides derived from 1-(chloroalkyl)-1-aza-2-azoniaallene salts.

Reactions of alpha,alpha'-dichloroazo compounds 2 with SbCl5 gave 1-(chloroalkyl)-1-aza-2-azoniaallene salts 3 as reactive intermediates. Cycloadditions of 3 with the ribofuranosyl cyanide 4 afforded the beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazolium salts 5, which rearranged spontaneously to salts 6. Hydrolysis of 6 gave the 1,2,4-triazole C-nucleosides 7, which yielded the free nucleosides 8 after deblocking. Analogously, 12 was prepared from the cycloaddition of 4 with the alpha-chloroazo compound 10 in the presence of SbCl5. Deblocking of 12 with sodium methoxide afforded 13. Compounds 8a,b,e,f and 13 were tested against HIV-1, HIV-2, HSV-1 and HSV-2 and were found to be inactive.