Nucleoside 5'-(beta, gamma-peroxytriphosphates)

Procedures for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of beta, gamma-peroxy analogues of the eight common ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates have been developed. Although adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-peroxytriphosphate) was stable to conditions in most biochemical systems, incubation of a solution of the analogue at 100 degrees C led to formation of AMP and ATP, as well as ADP. NAD+ pyrophosphorylase was the only enzyme among 13 tested for which adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-peroxytriphosphate) was a good substrate, but the analogue was an effective inhibitor for a number of kinases. The peroxy compounds tested inactive with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase I, as well as with wheat germ RNA polymerase II.