N(4)-Acyl derivatives as lipophilic prodrugs of cidofovir and its 5-azacytosine analogue, (S)-HPMP-5-azaC: chemistry and antiviral activity.

Even number fatty acid residues-docosanoyl (behenoyl) and stearoyl were selected for introduction to the N(4)-position of (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine) (HPMPC, cidofovir), and its 5-azacytosine counterpart, (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine) (HPMP-5-azaC) with the aim to prepare a new type of lipophilic prodrugs. The study on the influence of these modifications to the stability and biological activity of both antivirals was performed. Different reactivity of both systems towards acylation reactions was also found: the 4-NH2 group of cidofovir was more reactive compared to that of HPMP-5-azaC. In 5-azacytosine derivatives, we found mostly a destabilizing effect of the N(4)-acylation but this could be compensated by a positive influence of the esterification of the phosphonate group. Chemical stability of the 5-azacytosine moiety in the HPMP series is increasing in the following order: HPMP-5-azaC

Synthesis and properties of ApA analogues with shortened phosphonate internucleotide linkage.

A complete series of the 2 '-5 ' and 3 '-5 ' regioisomeric types of r(ApA) and 2 '-d(ApA) analogues with the α-hydroxy-phosphonate C3 '-O-P-CH(OH)-C4 ″ internucleotide linkage, isopolar but non-isosteric with the phosphodiester one, were synthesized and their hybridization properties with polyU studied. Due to the chirality on the 5 '-carbon atom of the modified internucleotide linkage bearing phosphorus and hydroxy moieties, each regioisomeric type of ApA dimer is split into epimeric pairs. To examine the role of the 5 '-hydroxyl of the α-hydroxy-phosphonate moiety during hybridization, the appropriate r(ApA) analogues with 3 '(2 ')-O-P-CH(2)-C4 ″ linkage lacking the 5 '-hydroxyl were synthesized. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy study on the conformation of the modified sugar-phosphate backbone, along with the hybridization measurements, revealed remarkable differences in the stability of complexes with polyU, depending on the 5 '-carbon atom configuration. Potential usefulness of the α-hydroxy-phosphonate linkage in modified oligoribonucleotides is discussed.

Synthesis of ester prodrugs of 9-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (HPMPDAP) as anti-poxvirus agents.

9-(S)-[3-Hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (HPMPDAP) and its cyclic form were selected for further evaluation as potential drug candidates against poxvirus infections. To increase bioavailability of these compounds, synthesis of their structurally diverse ester prodrugs was carried out: alkoxyalkyl (hexadecyloxypropyl, octadecyloxyethyl, hexadecyloxyethyl), pivaloyloxymethyl (POM), 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, butylsalicylyl, and prodrugs based on peptidomimetics. Most HPMPDAP prodrugs were synthesized in the form of monoesters as well as the corresponding cyclic phosphonate esters. The activity was evaluated not only against vaccinia virus but also against different herpes viruses. The most potent and active prodrugs against vaccinia virus were the alkoxyalkyl ester derivatives of HPMPDAP, with 50% effective concentrations 400-600-fold lower than those of the parent compound. Prodrugs based on peptidomimetics, the 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, the POM, and the butylsalicylyl derivatives, were able to inhibit vaccinia virus replication at 50% effective concentrations that were equivalent or ∼10-fold lower than those observed for the parent compounds.

Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates with 5-azacytosine base moiety substituted in C-6 position.

Two methods for preparation of 6-substituted derivatives of anti DNA-viral agent 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-5-azacytosine (HPMP-5-azaC) were developed: (1) ammonia mediated ring-opening reaction of diisopropyl esters of HPMP-5-azaC (4) to carbamoylguanidine derivatives followed by ring-closure reaction with orthoesters and (2) condensation reaction of 6-substituted 5-azacytosines with diisopropyl (1S)-[2-hydroxy-1-tosyloxymethyl)ethoxy]methylphosphonate (15). Deprotection of diisopropyl esters to free phosphonic acids was performed with bromotrimethylsilane in acetonitrile followed by hydrolysis. In contrast to parent compound HPMP-5-azaC, a substantial decrease of antiviral activity in case of 6-substituted analogues occurred. Surprisingly, N-3 isomer of 6-methyl-HPMP-5-azaC in the form of isopropyl ester revealed activity against RNA viruses (Sindbis virus).

Synthesis of branched 9-[2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl]purines as a new class of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates which inhibit Plasmodium falciparum hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase.

The malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) lacks the de novo pathway and relies on the salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGXPRT), for the synthesis of the 6-oxopurine nucleoside monophosphates. Specific acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) inhibit PfHGXPRT and possess anti-plasmodial activity. Two series of novel branched ANPs derived from 9-[2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl]purines were synthesized to investigate their inhibition of PfHGXPRT and human HGPRT. The best inhibitor of PfHGXPRT has a K(i) of 1 microM. The data showed that both the position and nature of the hydrophobic substituent change the potency and selectivity of the ANPs.

Acyclic nucleoside bisphosphonates: synthesis and properties of chiral 2-amino-4,6-bis[(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]pyrimidines.

2-Amino-4,6-bis[(phosphonomethoxy)alkoxy]pyrimidines bearing two equal or different achiral or chiral phosphonoalkoxy chains have been prepared either by aromatic nucleophilic substitution of 2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine or by alkylation of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidine with appropriate phosphonate-bearing building block. Alkylation of 4,6-dihydroxy-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidine proved to be the method of choice for efficient preparation of variety of bisphosphonates. The enantiomeric purity of selected compounds was determined by capillary electrophoresis. Antiviral activity of bisphosphonates is discussed.

Synthesis of guanidino analogues of PMPDAP and their immunobiological activity.

A series of novel 9-, 7- and 3-substituted 2- or 6-guanidinopurines as analogues of potent antiviral and immunobiologically active compound enantiomers of PMPDAP was synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity. Compounds containing the combination of guanidino and amino group at the purine moiety enhanced the interferon-gamma-triggered NO production in murine macrophages and stimulated the secretion of cytokines and chemokines in both murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The most active compounds are 27 and 54. None of the compounds tested exhibited any significant cytostatic effect or antiviral effect.

Ring enlargement of cyclic acetals and ketals: a way to seven-membered nucleoside phostones.

Novel seven-membered nucleoside phostones were prepared by the reaction of chlorodiethyl phosphite with 3',5'-acetals or ketals derived from xylo-dT. A mechanism for the ring enlargement was proposed, and support for it was provided by ab initio calculations.

Ester prodrugs of cyclic 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-5-azacytosine: synthesis and antiviral activity.

Reaction of 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-5-azacytosine (1) with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and N,N,-dicyclohexyl-4-morpholinocarboxamidine in dimethylformamide at elevated temperature afforded the corresponding cyclic phosphonate 2, that is, 1-{[(5S)-2-hydroxy-2-oxido-1,4,2-dioxaphosphinan-5-yl]methyl}-5-azacytosine. Compound 2 exerts strong in vitro activity against DNA viruses, comparable with activity of parent compound 1. Transformation of 2 to its tetrabutylammonium salt followed by reaction with alkyl or acyloxyalkyl halogenides enabled us to prepare a series of structurally diverse ester prodrugs: alkyl (octadecyl), alkenyl (erucyl), alkoxyalkyl (hexadecyloxyethyl), and acyloxyalkyl (pivaloyloxymethyl) (3-6). The introduction of an alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or acyloxyalkyl ester group to the molecule resulted in an increase of antiviral activity; the most active compound was found to be the hexadecyloxyethyl ester 5. The relative configuration of the diastereoisomer trans-6 was determined using H,H-NOESY NMR.

Discovery of 5-substituted-6-chlorouracils as efficient inhibitors of human thymidine phosphorylase.

Thymidine phosphorylase plays an important role in angiogenesis, which is an attractive target for therapy of cancer and other diseases. In our continuous effort to develop novel inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase, we have discovered that 6-halouracils substituted at position C5 by certain hydrophobic groups exhibit significant inhibitory activity against this enzyme. The most potent compounds bear a five- or six-membered cyclic substituent containing a pi-electron system at C5 and a chlorine atom attached at C6. 6-Chloro-5-cyclopent-1-en-1-yluracil 7a is the most efficient derivative in this study, with Ki = 0.20 +/- 0.03 microM (Ki/dThdKm = 0.0017) for thymidine phosphorylase expressed in V79 cells and Ki = 0.29 +/- 0.04 microM (Ki/dThdKm = 0.0024) for the enzyme purified from placenta.

Antiviral activity of triazine analogues of 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine (cidofovir) and related compounds.

Treatment of 5-azacytosine sodium salt with diisopropyl [(2-chloroethoxy)methyl]phosphonate followed by removal of ester groups with BrSi(CH3)3 afforded 1-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]-5-azacytosine (3). Reaction of 5-azacytosine with [(trityloxy)methyl]-(2S)-oxirane followed by etherification with diisopropyl (bromomethyl)phosphonate and removal of ester groups gave 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-5-azacytosine (1). The synthesis of 6-azacytosine congener 2 was analogous using N4-benzoylated intermediates. Compound 1 was shown to exert strong activity against a broad spectrum of DNA viruses including adenoviruses, poxviruses, and herpesviruses (i.e., herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster virus, and human cytomegalovirus). Decomposition of 1 in alkaline solutions resulted in products 17 and 18. While the N-formylguanidine derivative 17 proved active, the carbamyolguanidine derivative 18 was devoid of antiviral activity.

Activation of murine RNase L by isopolar 2'-phosphonate analogues of 2',5' oligoadenylates.

To determine the influence of methylene group insertion in the internucleotide linkage on the binding process of 2',5'-oligoadenylates to RNase L, a series of 2'-phosphonate-modified trimers and tetramers were synthesized from appropriate monomeric units and evaluated for their ability to bind to murine RNase L. Tetramers pAAXA modified by ribo-, arabino-, or xylo-2'-phosphonate unit X in the third position were capable of binding to RNase L in nanomolar concentrations. The replacement of the first residue (pXAAA), or both the first and the third residues (pXAXA), was also tolerated by the enzyme. In contrast, in all cases, the replacement of the second residue (pAXAA) resulted in the significant decrease of binding ability. Additionally, no more than two phosphonate modifications in the tetramer were allowed to retain the binding affinity to the enzyme. Although all three tetramers pAAXA were found to be potent enzyme binders, only tetramers modified by ribo- and xylo-2'-phosphonate unit X activated the RNase L-catalyzed cleavage of the RNA substrate. Surprisingly, tetramer pAAXA, modified by arabino-2'-phosphonate unit X, did not activate the enzyme and can be considered a potent antagonist. In comparison with their natural counterpart, the phosphonate analogues of the pA4 exhibit superior resistance toward nucleases present in the murine spleen homogenate.

Design and synthesis of novel 5,6-disubstituted uracil derivatives as potent inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase.

We report on a series of novel 5,6-disubstituted uracils with significant inhibitory activity against human and Escherichia coli thymidine phosphorylases. Bis-uracil conjugates were identified as the most potent inhibitors of TPs in this study.

Synthesis and immunobiological activity of base substituted 2-amino-3-(purin-9-yl)propanoic acid derivatives.

2-Amino-3-(purin-9-yl)propanoic acids substituted at position 6 of the purine base moiety by dimethylamino, cyclopropylamino, pyrrolidin-1-yl, hydroxy, and sulfanyl group as well as their 2-aminopurine analogues were prepared from corresponding 9-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)purines and 2-aminopurines, respectively, by the Strecker synthesis. 2-Aminopropanoic acid derivatives were tested for their immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory potency. Some of these compounds significantly enhanced secretion of chemokines RANTES and MIP-1alpha, the most potent was 2-amino-6-sulfanylpurine derivative. Most of these compounds also augmented NO biosynthesis triggered primarily by IFN-gamma.

Synthesis of 9-alkyl and 9-heteroalkyl substituted 2-amino-6-guanidinopurines and their influence on the NO-production in macrophages.

9-Alkyl and 9-heteroalkyl substituted derivatives of the 2-amino-6-guanidinopurine were synthesized by alkylation of 2-amino-6-chloropurine and subsequent guanidinolysis. The activity of the thus prepared compounds on murine macrophages was examined. Compounds 4a, 4b, and 4d inhibit the LPS+IFN-gamma-induced NO production in murine macrophages while compound 4h stimulates this production.

Nucleosidyl-O-Methylphosphonates: a pool of monomers for modified oligonucleotides.

An unique set of 5'-O- and 3'-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of four natural 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine, 5'-O- and 2'-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of 1-(3-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine, and 1-(3-deoxy-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine, has been synthesized as a pool of monomers for the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. The phosphonate moiety was protected with 4-methoxy-1-oxido-2-pyridylmethyl ester group, serving also as an intramolecular catalyst in the coupling step.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 2,6-diamino-9-benzyl-9-deazapurine and related compounds.

Treatment of 6-bromomethyl- or 6-dibromomethyl-5-nitropyrimidine-2,4-diamine with KCN gave the same product--(2,6-diamino-5-nitropyrimidinyl)acetonitrile. Benzylation of the nitrile took place on the alpha-carbon to the cyano group preferentially affording the corresponding mono- and dibenzyl derivative, whose reductive cyclization resulted in 7-benzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine and 7,7-dibenzyl-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine, respectively. Suitability of the protection of N(2) and N(4) atoms with benzyl, acetyl, or benzoyl groups was also investigated. The in vitro evaluation of cell growth inhibition on CCRF-CEM, HL-60, HeLa S3, and L1210 cell lines showed significant activity in 8 new compounds. The most potent compounds were the above mentioned 6-dibromomethyl derivative (IC(50)=0.54, 1.7, 5.0, and 1.9 molL(-1)) and 7,N(2),N(4)-tribenzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine (IC(50)=1.9, 2.7, 7.3, and 1.0 molL(-1)).

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 2,4-diamino-5-cyano-6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]pyrimidine and related compounds.

Synthesis of 2,4-diamino-5-cyano-6-[[(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methoxy]ethoxy]pyrimidine was based on the formation of the pyrimidine ring by cyclization followed by modification of the side chain by alkylation. The 5-cyano group was also transformed to a 5-formyl and 5-hydroxymethyl group by reduction. As a side product an unexpected dimer was formed. Resulting compounds were converted to the free phosphonic acids by treatment with bromotrimethylsilane followed by hydrolysis. The 5-cyano and 5-formyl derivatives showed pronounced antiretroviral activity, comparable to that of the reference drugs adefovir and tenofovir.

5-Substituted-2,4-diamino-6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]pyrimidines-acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues with antiviral activity.

2,4-Diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidines substituted in position 5 by an allyl, benzyl, cyanomethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl, or methyl group were prepared either by C5-alkylation or by formation of the pyrimidine ring by cyclization. Their alkylation with 2-[(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methoxy]ethyl tosylate afforded N1- and O6-regioisomers that were separated and converted to the free phosphonic acids by treatment with bromotrimethylsilane followed by hydrolysis. Reaction of 2,4-diamino-6-[[(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methoxy]ethoxy]pyrimidine with elemental bromine, N-chloro-, or N-iodosuccinimide gave the corresponding phosphorus-protected 5-bromo-, 5-chloro-, and 5-iodo derivatives, respectively. Their deprotection afforded 2,4-diamino-5-bromo- and -5-chloro-6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]pyrimidines. 2,4-Diamino-5-methyl-6-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethoxy]pyrimidine was synthesized also by cross-coupling of the 5-bromo compound with AlMe(3), followed by deprotection. The compounds showed poor, if any, inhibitory activity against DNA viruses such as herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and vaccinia virus. In contrast, several 5-substituted 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives markedly inhibited retrovirus replication in cell culture. The 5-methyl derivative was exquisitely inhibitory to human immunodeficiency virus and Moloney murine sarcoma virus-induced cytopathicity in cell culture (EC(50) approximately 0.00018 mumol/mL) but also cytostatic to CEM cell cultures. In contrast, the 5-halogen-substituted derivatives showed pronounced antiretroviral activity (EC(50) = 0.0023-0.0110 mumol/mL), comparable to that of the reference drugs adefovir and tenofovir, but were devoid of measurable toxicity at 0.3 mumol/mL.

Study on reactivity and protection of the alpha-hydroxyphosphonate moiety in 5'-nucleotide analogues: formation of the 3'-O-P-C(OH)-C4' internucleotide linkage.

The recently described epimeric nucleosidyl-5'-C-phosphonates (alpha-hydroxyphosphonates) represent novel nucleotide analogues that can be incorporated into chimeric oligonucleotides by the phosphotriester condensation method. In order to prepare suitable protected monomer(s) we have studied condensation reaction between protected 2'-deoxythymidine and 2'-deoxythymidinyl-5'-C-phosphonate, both as model compounds, in dependence on the nature of the 5'-hydroxyl protecting group. We have found that the O-acetyl group is unstable in the presence of TPSCl or MSNT used as condensing agents for activation of the phosphorus moiety. This instability negatively influences the scope of the condensation process. On the other hand, introduction of the O-methoxycarbonyl group gave excellent results. The O-methoxycarbonyl group does not participate in the condensation process, and its quantitative introduction into the nucleotide analo gues is accomplished using a novel acylating agent, methoxycarbonyl tetrazole.