Resistance profiles of (+)2'-deoxy-3'-oxa-4'-thiocytidine and (-)2'-deoxy-3'-oxa-4'-thio-5-fluorocytidine.

Resistant variants were selected in vitro against two novel nucleoside analogues, (+) dOTC and (-) dOTFC using the HIV-1 molecular clone HXB2D. The variants obtained displayed 6.5-fold and 10-fold resistance to these compounds, respectively. Cloning and sequencing of the RT genes of the selected viruses identified two mutations, M184I for (+) dOTC and M184V for (-) dOTFC. Results with mutated recombinant clones of HXB2D confirmed the importance of these mutations in MT-4 cells. The resistance profiles of clinical samples with wild-type or 3TC-resistant phenotypes were also studied; low to moderate levels of cross-resistance were observed against the novel compounds.     

MS2 RNA has a potential to form an unusually large number of stable hairpins

Several long nucleotide sequences were analysed to find out if any of them are unusual in terms of the possible formation of “hairpins” (pairs of complementary runs of nucleotides forming double-stranded structures) as compared to random sequences. The RNA of MS2 bacteriophage has more potential hairpins with short loops (up to 10 bases in a loop) than found in random sequences with the same length and base composition. Other analyzed nucleotide sequences (SV40, φX174, Fd and 16S rRNA) behaved very much as their corresponding random ones. Most of the extra hairpins of the MS2 RNA are estimated to be thermodynamically stable. These potential hairpins might play some role in the function of the MS2 RNA.     

Synthesis of 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)-4'-thiopentofuranosyl nucleosides as potential antiviral agent.

1-O-Acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-4-thiofuranose derivative was synthesized from (S,S)-1,4-bis(benzyloxy)-2,3-epoxybutane derived from (+)-diethyl L-tartrate and the enantiomerically pure (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-[2',3'-dideoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)-beta-D-4'- thiopentofuranosyl]uracil 4 was obtained via coupling of silylated uracil followed by palladium-mediated coupling of methyl acrylate.     

Hybrid characteristics of oligonucleotides consisting of isonucleoside 2',5'-anhydro-3'-deoxy-3'-(thymin-1-yl)-D-mannitol with different linkage modes

Oligonucleotides consisting of the isonucleoside repeating unit 2',5'-anhydro-3'-deoxy-3'-(thymin-1-yl)-D-mannitol (4) were synthesized with the monomeric unit 4 incorporated into oligonucleotides as 1'-->4' linkage 4a (oligomer I) or 6'-->4' linkage 4b (oligomer II). The hybrid properties of the two oligonucleotides I and II with their complementary strands were investigated by thermal denaturation and CD spectra. Oligonucleotide I (4a) formed a stable duplex with d(A)(14) with a slightly reduced T(m) value of 36.6 degrees C, relative to 38.2 degrees C for the control duplex d(T)(14)/d(A)(14), but oligomer II (4b) failed to hybridize with a DNA complementary single strand. The spectrum of the duplex oligomer I/d(A)(14) showed a positive CD band at 217 nm and a negative CD band at 248 nm attributable to a B-like conformation. Molecular modeling showed that in the case of oligomer I: the C6' hydroxy group of each unit could be located in the groove area when hybridized to the DNA single strand, which might contribute additional hydrogen bonding to the stability of duplex formation.     

Synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroguanyl-(3',5')-guanosine

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 N2, O3', O5'-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).     

Evaluation of the mutagenic potential of the hair dye N-methyl-amino-2-nitro-4-N',N'-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene in a battery consisting of Drosophila and mammalian cytogenetic assays

The compound N-methyl-amino-2-nitro-4-N', N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminobenzene was tested for mutagenic activity in the sex-linked recessive lethal test with Drosophila melanogaster, the induction of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) with Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro, and the micronucleus test with mouse bone-marrow cells in vivo. Consistently negative results were obtained with the 3 tests. The SCE tests gave positive results with prolonged treatments. It is concluded that reliable decisions about mutagenic activity cannot be based on the induction, in vitro, of SCEs alone.     

Synthesis of a highly active new anti-HIV agent 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxy-4'-ethynylthymidine

Compounds having methyl, vinyl, and ethynyl groups at the 4'-position of stavudine (d4T: 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine) were synthesized. The compounds were assayed for their ability to inhibit the replication of HIV in cell culture. The 4'-ethynyl analogue (15) was found to be more potent and less toxic than the parent compound stavudine.     

Synthesis of a mutagenic nucleoside, 2'-deoxy-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-adenosine

The reaction of 2-amino-6-chloropurine riboside with i-amyl nitrite in benzene in the presence of Cu2O, followed by treatment with NH3/MeOH gave 2-phenyladenosine (1). The crude sample of 1 was found to be mutagenic to bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100, without metabolic activation). When this material was subjected to high pressure liquid chromatography, the mutagenic activity was found only in contaminating minor components, whose structures were assigned as 2-(m- and p-nitrophenyl)-adenosines (2m,p). In order to study structure-activity relationships, several nucleoside and base analogues were synthesized. Among them, 2'-deoxy-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-adenosine (8) was the most potent mutagen as tested either with TA 98 or TA 100.     

3-Arylidene-5-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2(3H)-furanones: a new series of anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds having antimicrobial activity

An ideal anti-inflammatory drug should have the desired effect in minimum dose with minimum side effects. Antimicrobial actions associated with such agents will be an added advantage as they broaden the spectrum of the compounds. Promising anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity together with low ulcerogenic properties of some 2(3H)-furanones, synthesized in our previous study, prompted us to investigate the effect of the isobutyl group on their pharmacological profile. Since compounds 3, 9, 13, and 14 have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in addition to low ulcerogenic incidence, they were selected for investigation of their inhibitory effects on various cyclo-oxygenase enzymes. It was found that they were more selective toward COX-2 enzymes. An MIC of 6.25 μg/mL was recorded for compounds 3, 13, and 14 against S. aureus, E. coli, R. oryza, and P. citrum. The study supports the development of furanone derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory agents with antimicrobial activity.     

New orally bioavailable 2-aminobenzamide-type histone deacetylase inhibitor possessing a (2-hydroxyethyl)(4-(thiophen-2-yl)benzyl)amino group

New 2-aminobenzamide-type histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were synthesized. They feature a sulfur-containing bicyclic arylmethyl moiety—a surface recognition domain introduced to increase in cellular uptake—and a substituted tert-amino group which affects physicochemical properties such as aqueous solubility. Compound 22 with a (2-hydroxyethyl)(4-(thiophen-2-yl)benzyl)amino group reduced the volume of human colon cancer HCT116 xenografts in nude mice to T/C 67% by oral administration at 45 mg/kg, which was comparable to the rate (T/C 62%) for a positive control, MS-275. Western blot analyses as well as cell cycle and TUNEL assays by flow cytometry suggested that the two compounds inhibited the growth of cancer cells via similar mechanisms.     

Penetration and Antiviral Activity of Coxsackievirus B3 (Cvb3)-Specific Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides (Ps-Odn)

Abstract

The antiviral activity of PS-ODNs, complementary to different regions of the CVB3 genome, was investigated under in vitro conditions. Inhibition of CVB3 replication was detected only after prolonged pretreatment of HeLa cells with antiviral active PS-ODNs, but not when virus and PS-ODN were applicated simultaneously. Results from flow cytometric analysis indicate that a low cellular uptake of anti-CVB3 oligonucleotides into HeLa cells might be a reason for their moderate antiviral activity.     

DNA polymerase recognition of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroarabinonucleoside 5'-triphosphates (2'F-araNTPs)

We examined the ability of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluroarabinonucleoside 5'-triphosphates (2'F-araNTPs) to serve as substrates of various DNA polymerases. In addition, we also examined the ability of these polymerases to accept DNA-FANA (2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroarabinonucleic acids) chimeras as template strands while synthesizing a DNA or FANA-DNA complementary strand. We provide preliminary data demonstrating that 2'F-araNTPs are indeed substrates of several DNA polymerases, and that FANA-DNA chimeric templates are generally well recognized by these polymerase enzymes.     

A zigzag chain coordination polymer consisting of silver(I) ion having square planar geometry

Silver(I) complexes of hexakis(tolylsulfanyl)benzene (htsb), [Ag(htsb)](PF₆) (1), have been prepared and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In 1, the silver ion prefers a square planar coordination geometry comprized of four S atoms from two different htsb molecules and producing a zigzag chain structure of AgS in the silver coordination polymer. Based on the thermo-gravimetry analysis results, two tolylsulfanyl groups were easily eliminated at approximately 211 °C. However, [Ag(htsb)(2-butanone)] (PF₆) (2), which were obtained by the reactions in different solvents, showed a different colors and thermal degradation behaviors.     

The peptides acetyl-(Gly-3(S)Hyp-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2 and acetyl-(Gly-Pro-3(S)Hyp)10-NH2 do not form a collagen triple helix

Hydroxylation of proline residues in the Yaa position of the Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeated sequence to 4(R)-hydroxyproline is essential for the formation of the collagen triple helix. A small number of 3(S)-hydroxyproline residues are present in most collagens in the Xaa position. Neither the structural nor a biological role is known for 3(S)-hydroxyproline. To characterize the structural role of 3(S)-hydroxyproline, the peptide Ac-(Gly-3(S)Hyp-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2 was synthesized and analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. At 4 degrees C in water the circular dichroism spectrum indicates that this peptide was in a polyproline-II-like secondary structure with a positive peak at 225 nm similar to Ac-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2. The positive peak at 225 nm almost linearly decreases with increasing temperature to 95 degrees C without an obvious transition. Although the peptide Ac-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2 forms a trimer at 10 degrees C, sedimentation equilibrium experiments indicate that Ac-(Gly-3(S)Hyp-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2 is a monomer in water at 7 degrees C. To study the role of 3(S)-hydroxyproline in the Yaa position, we synthesized Ac-(Gly-Pro-3(S)Hyp)10-NH2. This peptide also does not form a triple helix in water. 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data (including line widths and nuclear Overhauser effects) are entirely consistent, with neither Ac-(Gly-3(S)Hyp-4(R)Hyp)10-NH2 nor Ac-(Gly-Pro-3(S)Hyp)10-NH2 forming a triple helix in water. Therefore 3(S)-hydroxyproline destabilizes the collagen triple helix in either position. In contrast, when 3(S)-hydroxyproline is inserted as a guest in the highly stable -Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyperepeated host sequence, Ac-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)3-Gly-3(S)Hyp-4(R)Hyp-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)4-Gly-Gly-NH2 forms as stable a trimer (Tm=49.6 degrees C) as Ac-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)8-Gly-Gly-NH2 (Tm=48.9 degrees C). Given that Ac-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)3-Gly-4(R)Hyp-Pro-(Gly-Pro-4(R)Hyp)4-Gly-Gly-NH2 forms a triple helix nearly as stable as the above two peptides (Tm=45.0 degrees C) and the knowledge that Ac-(Gly-4(R)Hyp-Pro)10-NH2 does not form a triple helix, we conclude that the host environment dominates the structure of host-guest peptides and that these peptides are not necessarily accurate predictors of triple helical stability.     

The structure of Proteus mirabilis O3 O-specific polysaccharide containing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-alanine

O-Specific polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of Proteus mirabilis O3 lipopolysaccharide. The polysaccharide was dephosphorylated with 48% HF to give a linear polysaccharide and an amino acid, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-alanine. The structure of the polysaccharide was determined by methylation, Smith degradation and computer-assisted analysis of the 13C-NMR spectra of original and dephosphorylated polymers and oligomers. The structure of the amino acid was investigated by using 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (applied to the acetylated methyl ester derivative). Its absolute configuration was established by comparison of the optical rotation value and CD spectrum of the natural and synthetic product. On the basis of the data obtained, it was concluded that the repeating unit of P. mirabilis O3 O-specific polysaccharide has the following structure: (formula; see text) Removal of the amino acid phosphate substituent significantly decreased serological activity of the O-specific polysaccharide, thus showing the immunodominant role of this group. Serological cross-reactions between P. mirabilis O3 and O27 were demonstrated and tentatively substantiated.