Potential of preimplantation genomic selection for carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle.

Preimplantation genomic selection using genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes is expected to accelerate genetic improvement in cattle. To develop a preimplantation genomic selection system for carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle, we investigated the accuracy of genomic evaluation of carcass traits using biopsied embryonic cells (Experiment 1); we also performed an empirical evaluation for embryo transfer (ET) of vitrified GEBV-evaluated blastocysts to assess the efficiency of the preimplantation genomic selection system (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, the mean call rate for SNP genotyping using approximately 15 biopsied cells was 98.1 ± 0.3%, whereas that for approximately 5 biopsied cells was 91.5 ± 2.4%. The mean concordance rate for called genotypes between ~15-cell biopsies and the corresponding biopsied embryos was 99.9 ± 0.02%. The GEBVs for carcass weight, ribeye area, and marbling score calculated from ~15-cell biopsies closely matched those from the corresponding calves produced by ET. In Experiment 2, a total of 208 in vivo blastocysts were biopsied (~15-cell) and the biopsied cells were processed for SNP genotyping, where 88.5% of the samples were found to be suitable for GEBV calculation. Large variations in GEBVs for carcass traits were observed among full-sib embryos and, among the embryos, some presented higher GEBVs for ribeye area and marbling score than their parents. The conception rate following ET of vitrified GEBV-evaluated blastocysts was 41.9% (13/31). These findings suggest the possible application of preimplantation genomic selection for carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle.

A proinflammatory response of bovine endometrial epithelial cells to active sperm in vitro.

In the cow, cryopreserved semen is inseminated into the uterus, and most of sperm are removed by backflow and phagocytes. Nevertheless, the mechanism responsible for sperm phagocytosis is unclear. Here, we used cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) to investigate the uterine response to sperm and the mechanism that activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). BUEC monolayers were co-cultured with different numbers of washed sperm obtained from cryopreserved semen (104 , 105 , and 106 sperm/ml) for 3 hr. Sperm dose-dependently up-regulated IL8 (Interleukin 8). Sperm at 106 /ml increased mRNA expression of TNFA (Tumor necrosis factor alpha), IL1B (Interleukin 1B), NFKB2 (Nuclear factor kappa B2), and C3 (Complement factor 3), as well as PGES (Prostaglandin E synthase) expression and PGE2 release. Live sperm, but not dead sperm, attached to BUECs, and dead sperm did not induce an acute inflammatory response. Time-dependent effects were evaluated by co-culture of 106 /ml washed sperm with BUECs for 0, 1, 3, and 6 hr. The number of detached sperm increased gradually toward 6 hr. Maximum mRNA expression of IL8, TNFA, IL1B, and NFKB2 was induced at 3 hr, while C3 continued to increase toward 6 hr. Sperm did not stimulate mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFB1 (Transforming growth factor beta 1) or IL10 (Interleukin 10). Medium conditioned by sperm co-incubated with BUECs stimulated PMNs phagocytosis of sperm in vitro. Fresh media supplemented with low levels of IL1B, TNFA, and PGE2 up-regulated sperm phagocytosis by PMNs as well. In conclusion, our findings strongly suggest that the active sperm attach to BUECs and trigger uterine local innate immunity with induction of a pro-inflammatory response that enhances sperm phagocytosis by PMNs.

Expression and localization of aquaporins 3 and 7 in bull spermatozoa and their relevance to sperm motility after cryopreservation.

Artificial insemination with cryopreserved semen is a well-developed technique commonly used for controlled reproduction in cattle. However, despite current technical advances, cryopreservation continues to damage bull spermatozoa, resulting in a loss of approximately 30 to 50% of viable spermatozoa post thawing. To further improve the efficiency of cryopreservation of bull spermatozoa, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the cryobiological properties that affect cryoinjuries during cryopreservation process of bull spermatozoa is required. In this study, we examined the expression and localization of aquaporin (AQP) 3 and AQP7 in fresh, cooled, and frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa. Furthermore, we investigated the relevance of AQP3 and AQP7 to motility and to membrane integrity in frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa. Western blotting against AQP3 and AQP7 in bull spermatozoa revealed bands with molecular weights of approximately 42 kDa and 53 kDa, respectively. In immunocytochemistry analyses, immunostaining of AQP3 was clearly observed in the principal piece of the sperm tail. Two immunostaining patterns were observed for AQP7 -pattern 1: diffuse staining in head and entire tail, and pattern 2: diffuse staining in head and clear staining in mid-piece. Cooling and freeze-thawing did not affect the localization pattern of AQP7 and the relative abundances of AQP3 and AQP7 evaluated by Western blotting. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the relative abundances of AQP3 and AQP7 varied among ejaculates, and they were positively related to sperm motility, particularly sperm velocity, post freeze-thawing. Our findings suggest that AQP3 and AQP7 are possibly involved in the tolerance to freeze-thawing in bull spermatozoa, particularly in the sperm's tail.

Production of calves by the transfer of cryopreserved bovine elongating conceptuses and possible application for preimplantation genomic selection.

Preimplantation genomic selection based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes is expected to accelerate genetic improvement in cattle. However, genome-wide genotyping at the early embryonic stage has several limitations, such as the technical difficulty of embryonic biopsy and low accuracy of genotyping resulting from a limited number of biopsied cells. After hatching from the zona pellucida, the morphology of the bovine embryo changes from spherical to filamentous, in a process known as elongation. The bovine nonsurgical elongating conceptus transfer technique was recently developed and applied for sexing without requiring specialized skills for biopsy. In order to develop a bovine preimplantation genomic selection system combined with the elongating conceptus transfer technique, we examined the accuracy of genotyping by SNP chip analysis using the DNA from elongating conceptuses (Experiment 1) and optimal cryopreservation methods for elongating conceptuses (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, the call rates of SNP chip analysis following whole genome amplification in biopsied cells from two elongating conceptuses were 95.14% and 99.32%, which were sufficient for estimating genomic breeding value. In Experiment 2, the rates of dead cells in elongating conceptuses cryopreserved by slow freezing were comparable to those in fresh elongating conceptuses. In addition, we obtained healthy calves by the transfer of elongating conceptuses cryopreserved by slow freezing. Our findings indicate that the elongating conceptus transfer technology enables preimplantation genomic selection in cattle based on SNP chip analysis. Further studies on the optimization of cryopreservation methods for elongating conceptuses are required for practical application of the selection system.

Angiotensin II increases sperm phagocytosis by neutrophils in vitro: A possible physiological role in the bovine oviduct.

This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (ANG II), secreted by bovine oviduct epithelial cells, on the in vitro phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, specifically neutrophils, towards sperm. The measured concentrations of ANG II in oviduct flushes and conditioned medium from primary bovine oviduct epithelial culture ranged from 10(-10) to 10(-11) M. In our experiments, neutrophils were incubated for 2 hr with ANG II (0, 10(-11) , 10(-10) , 10(-9) , and 10(-8) M). Phagocytosis and superoxide production were then assessed by co-incubation of these neutrophils with sperm pretreated to induce capacitation, revealing a dose-dependent increase in both metrics by ANG II. This stimulatory effect of ANG II was eliminated by losartan, an angiotensin receptor type 1 (AGTR1) antagonist. ANG II also suppressed neutrophil transcription of angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (ACE) and AGTR1, but not AGTR2, suggesting the involvement of the AGTR1 receptor-mediated pathway in the response to sperm. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed that incubation of neutrophils with ANG II stimulated the formation of DNA-based extracellular traps for sperm entanglement. The addition of prostaglandin E2 at concentrations found in the oviduct suppressed the ANG II-stimulated phagocytic activity of neutrophils towards sperm. Thus the physiological levels of ANG II stimulate neutrophil phagocytosis of sperm in vitro, and suggest that an angiotensin/prostaglandin E2 system may fine-tune the local immune response that fosters sperm survival in the bovine oviduct. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 630-639, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Endothelin-1 downregulates sperm phagocytosis by neutrophils in vitro: A physiological implication in bovine oviduct immunity.

The oviduct is an active contractile tube that provides the proper environment for sperm transport, capacitation and survival. Oviductal contractions are regulated by autocrine/paracrine secretion of several factors, such as prostaglandins (PGs) and endothelin-1 (EDN-1). We have previously shown that during the preovulatory stage, sperm are exposed to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in the bovine oviduct, and the bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) secrete molecules including PGE2 that suppress sperm phagocytosis by PMNs in vitro. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of EDN-1 on the phagocytic activity of PMNs toward sperm. The local concentrations of EDN-1 in oviduct fluid and BOEC culture medium ranged from 10(-10) to 10(-11) M as determined by EIA. Phagocytosis and superoxide production were assayed by co-incubation of sperm pretreated to induce capacitation with PMNs exposed to EDN-1 (0, 10(-11), 10(-10), 10(-9), and 10(-8) M) for 2 h. EDN-1 suppressed dose dependently (10(-11) to 10(-8) M) the phagocytic activity for sperm and superoxide production of PMNs in response to capacitated sperm. Moreover, this suppression was eliminated by an ETB receptor antagonist (BQ-788). EDN-1 suppressed mRNA expression of EDN-1 and ETB but not ETA receptors in PMNs, suggesting the ETB receptor-mediated pathway. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that incubation of PMNs with EDN-1 (10(-9) M) completely suppressed the formation of DNA-based neutrophil extracellular traps for sperm entanglement. The results provide evidence indicating that EDN-1 may be involved in the protection of sperm from phagocytosis by PMNs in the bovine oviduct, supporting sperm survival until fertilization.

Bovine oviduct epithelial cells downregulate phagocytosis of sperm by neutrophils: prostaglandin E2 as a major physiological regulator.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in bovine oviduct fluid under physiological conditions and to determine the possible role of bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) in the regulation of the phagocytic activity of PMNs for sperm. During the pre-ovulatory stage, PMNs were identified in the bovine oviduct fluid in relatively constant numbers. In our experiments, PMNs were incubated for 4 h with the supernatant of cultured BOECs stimulated for 24 h by LH (10 ng/ml). Phagocytosis was then assayed by co-incubation of these PMNs with sperm treated to induce capacitation. The BOEC supernatant significantly suppressed sperm phagocytosis by PMNs, and the LH-stimulated BOEC supernatant further suppressed phagocytosis. Importantly, in the BOEC culture, LH stimulated the secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which dose-dependently (10(-6), 10(-7), and 10(-8) M) suppressed sperm phagocytosis by PMNs. Furthermore, a PGEP2 receptor antagonist significantly abrogated the inhibition of phagocytosis by the LH-stimulated BOEC supernatant. Additionally, using scanning electron microscopy, incubation of PMNs with either PGE2 or LH-stimulated BOEC supernatant before phagocytosis was found to prevent the formation of DNA-based neutrophil extracellular traps for sperm entanglement. The results indicate that sperm are exposed to PMNs in the oviduct and PGE2 released into the oviduct fluid after LH stimulation may play a major role in the suppression of the phagocytic activity of PMNs for sperm via interaction with EP2 receptors. Thus, the bovine oviduct provides a PGE2-rich microenvironment to protect sperm from phagocytosis by PMNs, thereby supporting sperm survival in the oviduct. Free Japanese abstract A Japanese translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/147/2/211/suppl/DC1.

An acute-phase protein as a regulator of sperm survival in the bovine oviduct: alpha 1-acid-glycoprotein impairs neutrophil phagocytosis of sperm in vitro.

We have previously shown that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are present in bovine oviduct fluid under physiological conditions, and that the oviduct provides a microenvironment that protects sperm from phagocytosis by PMNs. Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a major acute-phase protein produced mainly in the liver that has immunomodulatory functions. AGP mRNA is expressed in extrahepatic organs, such as the lung, kidney, spleen, lymph node, uterus, and ovary. Therefore, in this study, we investigated, 1) the local production of AGP in the bovine oviduct, 2) the effect of AGP on the phagocytic activity of PMNs for sperm and superoxide production and 3) the impact of AGP desialylation on the PMN phagocytosis of sperm. The AGP gene was expressed in cultured bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) and AGP protein was detected in oviduct fluid. Preexposure of PMNs to AGP at physiological levels impaired PMN phagocytosis for sperm and superoxide generation. The desialylation of AGP eliminated these suppressive effects of AGP on PMN. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that AGP drastically reduced the formation of DNA-based neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) for sperm entanglement. Additionally, AGP dose-dependently stimulated BOECs to produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which has been shown to partially contribute to the regulation of sperm phagocytosis in the bovine oviduct. AGP and PGE2 at concentrations detected in the oviducts additively suppressed sperm phagocytosis by PMNs. These results provide evidence that locally produced AGP may be involved in protecting sperm from phagocytosis by PMNs in the bovine oviduct.

Sexing of dog sperm by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Effective preselection of sex has been accomplished in several species of livestock and also in humans using the flow cytometric sperm sorting method. A guaranteed high sorting accuracy is a key prerequisite for the widespread use of sperm sexing. The standard validation method is flow cytometric remeasurement of the DNA content of the sexed sperm. Since this method relies on the same instrument that produced the original sperm separation, it is not truly independent. Therefore, to be able to specifically produce either male or female offspring in the dog, we developed a method of direct visualization of sex chromosomes in a single sperm using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as a validation method. Denaturation of canine spermatozoa by immersion in 1 M NaOH for 4 min yielded consistent hybridization results with over 97% hybridization efficiency and a good preservation of sperm morphology. There was no significant difference between the theoretical ratio (50:50) and the observed ratio of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in any of the three dogs. In addition, the mean purities of flow-sorted sex chromosomes in spermatozoa of the three dogs were 90.8% for the X chromosome fraction and 89.6% for the Y chromosome fraction. This sorting was evaluated by using the dual color FISH protocol. Therefore, our results demonstrated that the FISH protocol worked reliably for both unsorted and sexed sperm samples.

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of α-D-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-C-hydroxymethyl nucleosides.

We have identified a selective S(N)2' reaction triggered by iodide ion that leads to the ring-opening of 2,2'-anhydro-α-nucleosides. By applying the method, we have synthesized α-D-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-C-hydroxymethyl nucleosides, designed as potential antiviral agents.

Potent activity of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine, against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in a model using human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-transplanted NOD/SCID Janus kinase 3 knockout mice.

4'-Ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA), a recently discovered nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, exhibits activity against a wide spectrum of wild-type and multidrug-resistant clinical human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates (50% effective concentration, 0.0001 to 0.001 microM). In the present study, we used human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-transplanted, HIV-1-infected NOD/SCID/Janus kinase 3 knockout mice for in vivo evaluation of the anti-HIV activity of EFdA. Administration of EFdA decreased the replication and cytopathic effects of HIV-1 without identifiable adverse effects. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice, the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio in the spleen was low (median, 0.04; range, 0.02 to 0.49), while that in mice receiving EFdA was increased (median, 0.65; range, 0.57 to 1.43). EFdA treatment significantly suppressed the amount of HIV-1 RNA (median of 9.0 x 10(2) copies/ml [range, 8.1 x 10(2) to 1.1 x 10(3) copies/ml] versus median of 9.9 x 10(4) copies/ml [range, 8.1 x 10(2) to 1.1 x 10(3) copies/ml]; P < 0.001), the p24 level in plasma (2.5 x 10(3) pg/ml [range, 8.2 x 10(2) to 5.6 x 10(3) pg/ml] versus 2.8 x 10(2) pg/ml [range, 8.2 x 10(1) to 6.3 x 10(2) pg/ml]; P < 0.001), and the percentage of p24-expressing cells in the spleen (median of 1.90% [range, 0.33% to 3.68%] versus median of 0.11% [range, 0.00% to 1.00%]; P = 0.003) in comparison with PBS-treated mice. These data suggest that EFdA is a promising candidate for a new age of HIV-1 chemotherapy and should be developed further as a potential therapy for individuals with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 variants.

2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-halo-adenosines active against drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants.

One of the formidable challenges in therapy of infections by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the emergence of drug-resistant variants that attenuate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We have recently introduced 4'-ethynyl-nucleoside analogs as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that could be developed as therapeutics for treatment of HIV infections. In this study, we present 2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-fluoroadenosine (EFdA), a second generation 4'-ethynyl inhibitor that exerted highly potent activity against wild-type HIV-1 (EC50 approximately 0.07 nM). EFdA retains potency toward many HIV-1 resistant strains, including the multi-drug resistant clone HIV-1A62V/V75I/F77L/F116Y/Q151M. The selectivity index of EFdA (cytotoxicity/inhibitory activity) is more favorable than all approved NRTIs used in HIV therapy. Furthermore, EFdA efficiently inhibited clinical isolates from patients heavily treated with multiple anti-HIV-1 drugs. EFdA appears to be primarily phosphorylated by the cellular 2'-deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) because: (a) the antiviral activity of EFdA was reduced by the addition of dC, which competes nucleosides phosphorylated by the dCK pathway, (b) the antiviral activity of EFdA was significantly reduced in dCK-deficient HT-1080/Ara-Cr cells, but restored after dCK transduction. Further, unlike other dA analogs, EFdA is completely resistant to degradation by adenosine deaminase. Moderate decrease in susceptibility to EFdA is conferred by a combination of three RT mutations (I142V, T165R, and M184V) that result in a significant decrease of viral fitness. Molecular modeling analysis suggests that the M184V/I substitutions may reduce anti-HIV activity of EFdA through steric hindrance between its 4'-ethynyl moiety and the V/I184 beta-branched side chains. The present data suggest that EFdA, is a promising candidate for developing as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of individuals harboring multi-drug resistant HIV variants.

Effects of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) on the thermal nociceptive threshold in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Neuropathy accompanied by abnormal sensory perception is the most common complication in insulin-dependent and -independent diabetes mellitus. Since there are very few effective therapeutic regimens for sensory abnormalities in diabetes, we examined the effect of cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP)-choline on the thermal nociceptive threshold in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice using the tail-flick test. Diabetic mice showed a shorter tail-flick latency at 1-4 weeks after streptozotocin treatment and a longer tail-flick latency after 8-12 weeks. This hyper- and hypoalgesia in diabetic mice was almost completely inhibited by daily treatment with CDP-choline (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) beginning on the day of streptozotocin treatment. Daily treatment with CDP-choline beginning 5 weeks after streptozotocin treatment attenuated the development of hypoalgesia. Diabetic mice showed a significant increase in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity at 3 weeks after streptozotocin treatment, whereas Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was decreased at 12 weeks after treatment. These alterations were normalized by daily treatment with CDP-choline (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) beginning the day of streptozotocin treatment. These results provide evidence to support the therapeutic potency of CDP-choline on the development of thermal hyper- and hypoalgesia and the progression of thermal hypoalgesia in diabetic mice. Moreover, these effects of CDP-choline may result from the normalization of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity.

2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-fluoroadenosine: a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with highly potent activity against wide spectrum of HIV-1 strains, favorable toxic profiles, and stability in plasma.

Working hypotheses to solve the critical problems of the existing highly active anti-retroviral therapy were proposed. The study based on the hypotheses proved the validity of the hypotheses and resulted in the development of 2'-deoxy-4'-C-ethynyl-2-fluoroadenosine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, with highly potent activity against all HIV-1, very favorable toxic profiles, and stability in plasma. The nucleoside will prevent or delay the emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants and be an ideal therapeutic agent for both HIV-1 and HBV infections.

Viral carcinogenesis and genomic instability.

Oncogenes encoded by human tumor viruses play integral roles in the viral conquest of the host cell by subverting crucial and relatively non-redundant regulatory circuits that regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and life span. Human tumor virus oncoproteins can also disrupt pathways that are necessary for the maintenance of the integrity of host cellular genome. Some viral oncoproteins act as powerful mutator genes and their expression dramatically increases the incidence of host cell mutations with every round of cell division. Others subvert cellular safeguard mechanisms intended to eliminate cells that have acquired abnormalities that interfere with normal cell division. Viruses that encode such activities can contribute to initiation as well as progression of human cancers.

Sperm Binding to Oviduct Epithelial Cells Enhances TGFB1 and IL10 Expressions in Epithelial Cells as Well as Neutrophils In Vitro: Prostaglandin E2 As a Main Regulator of Anti-Inflammatory Response in the Bovine Oviduct.

Sperm are allogenic to the female genital tract; however, oviducts provide optimal conditions for survival and capacitation of these non-self cells until fertilization. Recently, we showed that oviduct-conditioned media and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) suppress sperm phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) under physiological conditions. We hypothesized that sperm binding to bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) could change the local innate immunity via PGE2. As the first step to obtain basic information, sub-confluent BOEC monolayers were co-cultured with swim-up sperm for 2 h. BOECs with viable bound sperm were cultured for an additional 3, 6, 12, or 24 h. Then, we confirmed the impact of the sperm-BOEC binding on both BOECs and PMN gene expression. Immunohistochemistry revealed that BOECs strongly express TGFB1 and IL10 in the oviduct. Sperm binding to BOECs in culture induced the anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGFB1 and IL10) and PGE2 production by BOECs. Exogenous PGE2 in vitro suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF and IL1B) in BOECs. Moreover, pre-exposure of PMNs to BOEC-conditioned media suppressed the TNF expression, but the BOEC media co-cultured with sperm stimulated PMNs to express TGFB1 and IL10, with increasing PGE2 secretion. Of note, exogenous PGE2 led PMNs in vitro to decrease their TNF expression and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines expression. Our findings strongly suggest that BOECs provide an anti-inflammatory environment under physiological conditions and the sperm-BOEC binding further strengthens this milieu thus suppresses PMNs in the bovine oviduct. PGE2 is likely to drive this stable anti-inflammatory environment in the oviduct.

Potential of 4'-C-substituted nucleosides for the treatment of HIV-1.

Extensive efforts have been made to identify nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Eight NRTIs have now been approved for clinical use; however, variants of HIV-1 resistant to these antiviral agents have emerged in patients even when they are treated with combinations [highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)]. Thus, the development of novel compounds that are active against drug-resistant HIV-1 variants and that prevent or delay the emergence of resistant HIV-1 variants is urgently needed. Previously, 4'-C-substituted nucleosides (4'-SNs) were designed as new types of NRTIs. They were synthesized and examined as potential therapeutic agents against HIV infection. Among them, several 4'-substituted-2'-deoxynucleosides (4'-SdNs), especially those that bear an ethynyl group, were shown to be active against various laboratory and clinical HIV-1 strains including known drug-resistant variants. These results were recently reported by our collaborators. In this review, we summarize the design, synthesis and demonstrations of the anti-HIV activity of 4'-SNs, and then consider 4'-SNs as potential therapeutic agents for HIV-1.

Attempt to reduce cytotoxicity by synthesizing the L-enantiomer of 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxypurine nucleosides as antiviral agents against HIV and HBV.

We investigated the potential of 4'-C-substituted nucleosides for the treatment of HIV-1 and HBV. Of the nucleosides we prepared, several 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxypurine nucleosides showed the most potent anti-HIV activity. However, two candidates, 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxyguanosine and 9-(2-deoxy-4-C-ethynyl-beta-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl)-2,6-diaminopurine, were very toxic during in vivo study. On the other hand, lamivudine (3TC) is known to show remarkable activity against HIV and HBV with lower cytotoxicity. Therefore, we attempted to synthesize the L-enantiomer of 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxypurine nucleosides in 20-21 steps. These methods consisted of preparing 4-C-ethynyl-L-sugar, starting from D-arabinose and then condensing the L-sugar derivative with 2,6-diaminopurine. 4'-C-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyguanosine was also prepared by enzymatic deamination from the 2,6-diaminopurine derivative. The compounds' antiviral activity against HIV and HBV was then evaluated. Unfortunately, they demonstrated no activity and no cytotoxicity.

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Diazole Derivative Ligands for the Enantioselective Addition of Diethylzinc to Benzaldehyde.

The high-pressure-promoted reaction of epoxides with pyrazoles and imidazoles provided access to a variety of chiral diazole derivative ligands such as 11-23. Furthermore, chiral pyrazoles 26 and 27, which have a primary alcohol side chain, were also prepared from (+)-camphopyrazole 4. Each of these chiral diazole ligands was used for the catalytic enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The best results were obtained for 16 and 18: 93% ee was achieved in both cases, and reversed asymmetric induction was observed. A plausible mechanism for this efficient asymmetric induction is offered on the basis of X-ray crystallographic data.

Synthesis of 4'-C-ethynyl and 4'-C-cyano purine nucleosides from natural nucleosides and their anti-HIV activity.

Purine 2'-deoxynucleosides bearing an ethynyl or a cyano group at C-4' of the sugar moiety were synthesized from the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleosides. These compounds exhibited very potent anti-HIV activity, and remained active against drug resistant HIV strains.