Transport of uridine and 3-deazauridine in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells.

The transport of uridine and 3-deazauridine was compared in two lines of cultured human lymphoblastoid cells that differ in their sensitivity to 3-deazauridine apparently because of reduced uridine-cytidine kinase activity in the resistant line. The kinetic parameters (+/- S.E.) of uridine transport were similar in the two cell lines: Km, 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 0.25 +/- 0.07 mM; and Vmax, 35 +/- 2 and 57 +/- 10 pmol/microliter of cell water per sec, respectively, for 6410/MP (parental) and 6410/MP/DU (resistant) cells. 3-Deazauridine, while transported with similar kinetic characteristics in both cell lines, was not as good a substrate for the nucleoside transporter as was uridine, and its transport was dependent on pH. Kinetic parameters, determined using calculated concentrations of the undissociated form of 3-deazauridine (pKa, 6.5), were: Km, 0.52 +/- 0.01 and 0.51 +/- 0.03 mM; and Vmax, 28 +/- 0.5 and 24 +/- 0.9 pmol/microliter of cell water per sec, respectively, for 6410/MP and 6410/MP/DU cells. At pH 8, a condition in which 97% of 3-deazauridine molecules are ionized, rates of transport were almost zero. It is concluded that the undissociated form of 3-deazauridine is the substrate for the nucleoside transporter.

Potentiating effect of ribavirin on the in vitro and in vivo antiretrovirus activities of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine and 2',3'-dideoxy-2,6-diaminopurine riboside.

2',3'-Dideoxyinosine (DDI) and 2',3'-dideoxy-2,6-diaminopurine riboside (ddDAPR) are potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in MT-4 cells. They are also inhibitory to the transformation of C3H/3T3 cells by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV). In vivo, they are only marginally effective in delaying MSV-induced tumor formation, and mortality associated therewith in newborn NMRI mice. When combined with ribavirin, DDI and ddDAPR become much more effective in inhibiting MSV and HIV replication in vitro and MSV-induced tumor formation in vivo. These observations point to the potential role of ribavirin in potentiating the anti-HIV activity of DDI in AIDS patients.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 17.3-Deazuridine. Stannous chloride catalysis of cis-diol vs. phenolic base methylation with diazomethane.

Treatment of a methanolic solution of 4-hydroxy-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridinone (3-deazauridine, 1) with diazomethane gave 2-methoxy-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4-pyridinone (2) and 4-methoxy-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridinone (3a) in an approximate ratio of 1:2. Analogous treatment of 1 with diazomethane in the presence of stannous chloride dihydrate gave eight detected products including 2, 2-methoxy-1-(2-O-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-phridinone (4), 2-methoxy-1-(3-O-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-pyridinone (5), 3a, 4-methoxy-1-(2-O-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-pyridinone (6a), 4-methoxy-1-(3-O-methoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-pyridinone (7a), 2'-O-methyl-3-deazauridine (6b), and 3'-O-methyl-3-deazauridine (7b). For comparison, the 2'-O-methyl derivatives of 2 )4 and 5) and of 3a (6a and 7a), respectively, were prepared in good overall yields by stannous chloride catalyzed methylation of 2 and 3a. Treatment of 1 with benzyl bromide gave 4-benzyloxy-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridinone (3b). Stannous chloride catalyzed methylation of 4-pivaloxy-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridinone (3c) gave the corresponding 2'-O-methyl derivative 6c. These compounds were tested in leukemia L1210 culture and against three bacterial strains and were found to be uniformly inactive. This provides a striking example of nucleoside structure specificity and also adds support to the depot storage-enzymic cleavage mode of antileukemic activity of 4-(adamantane-1-carbonyloxy)-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-pyridinone (3d).

Nucleic acid related compounds. 47. Synthesis and biological activities of pyrimidine and purine "acyclic" nucleoside analogues.

Various acyclic, i.e., (2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl and (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl, analogues of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides have been prepared and evaluated for their antiviral, antimetabolic, and cytotoxic properties. All of the pyrimidine analogues, including (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]uracil (12) and its O-acetyl derivative (13), were virtually devoid of antiviral, cytotoxic, and antimetabolic activities. However, several of the 8-substituted derivatives of 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine (acyclovir) had higher antiviral specificity in vitro than the parent drug. The 8-methyl-, 8-amino-, 8-bromo-, and 8-iodoacyclovir derivatives have activities worthy of further investigation.

Adenosine-5'-carboxaldehyde: a potent inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase.

Adenosine-5'-carboxaldehyde (3) and its 4'-epimer (4) were synthesized and shown to be potent type I mechanism-based inhibitors of recombinant rat liver AdoHcy hydrolase with k2/KI values of 16.7 x 10(-3) and 5.5 x 10(-3) nM-1 min-1, respectively. The observation that 3 and 4 are potent inhibitors of AdoHcy hydrolase supports the hypothesis that they function as key intermediates in the mechanism by which the (Z)- and (E)-4',5'-didehydro-5'-deoxy-5'-fluoroadenosines 1 and 2 inactivate this enzyme.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 57. Synthesis, x-ray crystal structure, lipophilic partition properties, and antiretroviral activities of anomeric 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-2,6-diaminopurine ribosides.

Trimethylsilyl triflate-catalyzed transfer glycosylation of 2,6-diamino-9-(3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)purines (3 and 4) in low yields. Selective 2'-O-tosylation of 2,6-diamino-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (2,6-diaminopurine riboside, DAPR, 5) followed by our lithium triethylborohydride promoted 1,2-hydride rearrangement gave 2,6-diamino-9-(2-deoxy-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)purine (7). Tritylation of 7 followed by mesylation at O3', deprotection, and displacement of the 3'-mesylate with azide provided a stereodefined synthesis of 2,6-diamino-9-(3-azido-2, 3-dideoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)purine (AzddDAPR, 4). X-ray crystallographic analysis of 4 showed two orientations of the azido group, but consistent conformational features in the remainder of the molecule. In contrast, two independent conformations have been found for AZT. The azido function confers enhanced lipophilicity, which could be expected to contribute significantly to nonselective transport across membranes. A large difference in the octanol/water partition coefficients of the alpha (3) and beta (4) anomers wes found. The beta anomer (4) exerts potent inhibition of HIV-induced cytopathogenicity in human MT-4 cells (ED50: 0.3 microM). This concentration is an order of magnitude lower than that required for ddDAPR, AzddAdo, and AzddGuo. Potent inhibition of Moloney sarcoma virus induced transformation of murine C3H cells by AzddDAPR (4) was also observed. The alpha anomer (3) had no observed antiviral activity.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 51. Synthesis and biological properties of sugar-modified analogues of the nucleoside antibiotics tubercidin, toyocamycin, sangivamycin, and formycin.

Treatment of 7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine (formycin) with alpha-acetoxyisobutyryl bromide followed by deprotection of the resulting trans-vicinal acetoxy bromides and hydrogenolysis of the separated bromohydrins gave 2'-deoxy-(23%) and 3'-deoxyformycin (32%) after complete deprotection and purification of their hydrochloride salts. An analogous sequence gave 3'-deoxytoyocamycin and/or 3'-deoxysangivamycin in approximately 80% yields from toyocamycin. Antiviral, antineoplastic, and antimetabolic effects were evaluated for the formycin compounds and 4-amino-7-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (tubercidin), its 5-cyano- (toyocamycin), and 5-carbamoyl-(sangivamycin) antibiotic congeners in comparison with their 2'-deoxy, 3'-deoxy, and arabino analogues. In all cases, the modified-sugar compounds were less cytotoxic than the parent antibiotics. The majority also exhibited lower antiviral potency. However, the xylo-tubercidin analogue retained potent antiherpes 1 and 2 activity with decreased cytotoxicity. Labeled metabolite studies suggested that effects of these compounds on RNA and/or protein synthesis might be more significant than interference with DNA synthesis.

Inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by amide and ester derivatives of adenosine-5'-carboxylic acid.

S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase has been shown to have (5'/6') hydrolytic activity with vinyl (5') or homovinyl (6') halides derived from adenosine (Ado). This hydrolytic activity is independent of its 3'-oxidative activity. The vinyl (or homovinyl) halides are converted into 5'(or 6')-carboxaldehydes by the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme, and inactivation occurs via the oxidative activity. Amide and ester derivatives of Ado-5'-carboxylic acid were prepared to further probe the hydrolytic capability of AdoHcy hydrolase. The oxidative activity (but not the hydrolytic activity) is involved in the mechanism of inhibition of the enzyme by the ester and amide derivatives of Ado-5'-carboxylic acid, in contrast to the inactivation of this enzyme by adenosine-derived vinyl or homovinyl halide analogues during which both activities are manifested.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 40. Synthesis and biological activities of 5-alkynyluracil nucleosides.

Coupling of terminal alkynes with 5-iodo-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-p-toluyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil and 5-iodo-3',5'-di-O-p-toluyl-2'-deoxyuridine proceeded readily in triethylamine with catalytic quantities of bis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II) chloride and copper(I) iodide. The resulting products were deprotected to give 5-alkynyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil and 5-alkynyl-2'-deoxyuridine nucleosides. The 5-ethynyl, followed by 5-propynyl, products had the highest antiviral potency, with the 2'-deoxy derivatives being more effective than the arabinosyl compounds. Activity was weak at hexynyl and disappeared at heptynyl. Inclusion of an omega-hydroxy function diminished the antiviral effect. None of the 5-alkynyluracil nucleosides tested had sufficient selectivity to qualify as a candidate antiviral drug. Several of the compounds exerted an inhibitory action on thymidylate synthetase, with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine being the most cytotoxic against L1210 cells.

2'-Deoxy-2'-methylenecytidine and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluorocytidine 5'-diphosphates: potent mechanism-based inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase.

It has been found that 2'-deoxy-2'-methyleneuridine (MdUrd), 2'-deoxy-2'-methylenecytidine (MdCyd), and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluorocytidine (dFdCyd) 5'-diphosphates (MdUDP (1) MdCDP (2) and dFdCDP (3), respectively) function as irreversible inactivators of the Escherichia coli ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase (RDPR). 2 is a much more potent inhibitor than its uridine analogue 1. It is proposed that 2 undergoes abstraction of H3' to give an allylic radical that captures a hydrogen atom and decomposes to an active alkylating furanone species. RDPR also accepts 3 as an alternative substrate analogue and presumably executes an initial abstraction of H3' to initiate formation of a suicide species. Both 2 and 3 give inactivation results that differ from those of previously studied inhibitors. The potent anticancer activities of MdCyd and dFdCyd indicate a significant chemotherapeutic potential. The analogous RDPR of mammalian cells should be regarded as a likely target and/or activating enzyme for these novel mechanism-based inactivators.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 65. New syntheses of 1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5(E)-(2-iodovinyl)uracil (IVAraU) from vinylsilane precursors. Radioiodine uptake as a marker for thymidine kinase positive herpes viral infections.

(Trimethylsilyl)acetylene was coupled with 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D- arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil to give 1- (2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-[2-(trimethylsilyl)eth yny l] uracil. Lindlar hydrogenation of 4 gave 1-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5(Z)-[2- (trimethylsilyl)vinyl]uracil. Treatment of 5 with iodine monochloride (or sodium iodide/phenyliodine(III) dichloride) in benzene gave 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5(E)-(2-iodovinyl)uracil (7), whereas polar solvents favored the (Z)-iodovinyl isomer 8. Deacetylation of 7 gave 1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5(E)-(2-iodovinyl)uracil (IVAraU, 9). A microscale in situ synthesis with Na*I gave [*I]IVAraU. Treatment of HSV-infected cells with [125I]IVAraU resulted in virus-dependent uptake associated with nucleoside phosphorylation by wild type or acyclovir-resistant DNA polymerase mutants (but not with TK-HSV-1 mutants). Uptake was virus-inoculum dependent and was detectable within 4 h postinfection. The process was not completely reversible. Virus-specified uptake of [125I]IVAraU may allow automated in vitro detection of HSV isolates.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 84. Synthesis of 6'-(E and Z)-halohomovinyl derivatives of adenosine, inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, and correlation of anticancer and antiviral potencies with enzyme inhibition.

Treatment of 9-[6-(E)-(tributylstannyl)-5,6-dideoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene- beta-D-ribo-hex-5-enofuranosyl]adenine [2b(E)] or the 6-N-benzoyl derivative 2a(E) with iodine (or N-iodosuccinimide) or bromine (or N-bromosuccinimide) gave virtually quantitative and stereospecific conversions to the 6'-(E)-(halohomovinyl)nucleoside analogues. Analogous treatment of the 6'-(Z)-vinyl-stannanes gave the 6'-(Z)-halo compounds. Treatment of 2a or 2b with chlorine or xenon difluoride/silver triflate gave E and Z mixtures of the respective 6'-chloro- or 6'-fluorohomovinyl products. Deprotection gave the 9-[6-(E and Z)-halo-5,6-dideoxy-beta-D-ribo- hex-5-enofuranosyl]-adenines [(E and Z)-5',6'-didehydro-6'-deoxy-6'-halohomoadenosines, EDDHHAs and ZDDHHAs, 4c-7c(E and Z)]. The acetylenic 5',5',6',6'-tetradehydro-6'- deoxyhomoadenosine (3c) and the 5'-bromo-5'-deoxy-5'-methyleneadenosine (10c) regioisomer of EDDBHA [5c(E)] also were obtained from 2. Concentration- and time-dependent inactivations of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase were observed with 3c and the 6'-(halohomovinyl)adenosine analogues. The order of inhibitory potency was I > Br > Cl > F and E > Z for the geometric isomers. AdoHcy hydrolase effected "hydrolysis" of the 6'-halogen from the (halohomovinyl)Ado compounds (to give the putative 6'-carboxaldehyde which underwent spontaneous decomposition) independently of its oxidative activity. Partition ratios for these hydrolytic turnovers/lethal inhibitory events were in the order F > Cl > Br > I. Biological activities were evaluated with several viruses and cancer cell lines, and potencies were generally in the order I > Br > Cl > F and E > Z isomers. This represents the first observation of a direct correlation of cytostatic activity with inhibition of AdoHcy hydrolase and highlights the potential of this enzyme as a viable target for chemotherapeutic intervention in anticancer as well as antiviral drug design.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 74. Synthesis and biological activity of 2'(and 3')-deoxy-2'(and 3')-methylenenucleoside analogues that function as mechanism-based inhibitors of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase and/or ribonucleotide reductase.

Treatment of 2-amino-6-chloro-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (21) with TBDMS chloride/imidazole/DMF gave a separable mixture of 5'-O, 2',5'-bis-O (22), 3',5'-bis-O (23), and 2',3',5'-tris-O-TBDMS derivatives. Oxidation of 22 and 23 with CrO3/pyridine/Ac2O, treatment of the respective ketonucleosides with methylenetriphenylphosphorane, and deprotection gave 2-amino-6-chloro-9-[3(and 2)-deoxy-3(and 2)-methylene- beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl]purines (28 and 37) that were converted into other 2-amino-6-substituted-purine analogues. Tubercidin was converted into 2'-deoxy-2'-methylenetubercidin (49) by an analogous route. Inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by 2'- and 3'-methyleneadenosine analogues was investigated. Mechanism-based inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase and anticancer and antiviral activities of 2'(and 3')-deoxy-2'(and 3')-methylenenucleoside analogues are discussed.

Anticancer and antiviral effects and inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase with 5'-carboxaldehydes and oximes synthesized from adenosine and sugar-modified analogues.

Selectively protected adenine nucleosides were converted into 5'-carboxaldehyde analogues by Moffatt oxidation (dimethyl sulfoxide/dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/dichloroacetic acid) or with the Dess-Martin periodinane reagent. Hydrolysis of a 5'-fluoro-5'-S-methyl-5'-thio (alpha-fluoro thioether) arabinosyl derivative also gave the 5'-carboxaldehyde. Treatment of 5'-carboxaldehydes with hydroxylamine [or O-(methyl, ethyl, and benzyl)hydroxylamine] hydrochloride gave E/Z oximes. Treatment of purified oximes with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid and acetone effected trans-oximation to provide clean samples of 5'-carboxaldehydes. Adenosine (Ado)-5'-carboxaldehyde and its 4'-epimer are potent inhibitors of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase. They bind efficiently to the enzyme and undergo oxidation at C3' to give 3'-keto analogues with concomitant reduction of the NAD+ cofactor to give an inactive, tightly bound NADH-enzyme complex (type I cofactor-depletion inhibition). Potent type I inhibition was observed with 5'-carboxaldehydes that contain a ribo cis-2',3'-glycol. Their oxime derivatives are "proinhibitors" that undergo enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis to release the inhibitors at the active site. The 2'-deoxy and 2'-epimeric (arabinosyl) analogues were much weaker inhibitors, and the 3'-deoxy compounds bind very weakly. Ado-5'-carboxaldehyde oxime had potent cytotoxicity in tumor cell lines and was toxic to normal human cells. Analogues had weaker cytotoxic and antiviral potencies, and the 3'-deoxy compounds were essentially devoid of cytotoxic and antiviral activity.

Doubly homologated dihalovinyl and acetylene analogues of adenosine: synthesis, interaction with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, and antiviral and cytostatic effects.

Treatment of the 6-aldehyde derived by Moffatt oxidation of 3-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-ribo-hexofuranose (2c) with the dibromo- or bromofluoromethylene Wittig reagents generated in situ with tetrabromomethane or tribromofluoromethane, triphenylphosphine, and zinc gave the dihalomethyleneheptofuranose analogues 3b and 3d, respectively. Acetolysis, coupling with adenine, and deprotection gave 9-(7,7-dibromo-5,6, 7-trideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hept-6-enofuranosyl)adenine (5a) or its bromofluoro analogue 5b. Treatment of 5a with excess butyllithium provided the acetylenic derivative 9-(5,6, 7-trideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hept-6-ynofuranosyl)adenine (6). The doubly homologated vinyl halides 5a and 5b and acetylenic 6 adenine nucleosides were designed as putative substrates of the "hydrolytic activity" of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase. Incubation of AdoHcy hydrolase with 5a, 5b, and 6 resulted in time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of the enzyme (K(i): 8.5 +/- 0.5, 17 +/- 2, and 8.6 +/- 0.5 microM, respectively), as well as partial reduction of enzyme-bound NAD(+) to E-NADH. However, no products of the "hydrolytic activity" were observed indicating these compounds are type I mechanism-based inhibitors. The compounds displayed minimal antiviral and cytostatic activity, except for 6, against vaccinia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (IC(50): 15 and 7 microM, respectively). These viruses typically fall within the activity spectrum of AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors.

Discovery of type II (covalent) inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase involving its "hydrolytic activity": synthesis and evaluation of dihalohomovinyl nucleoside analogues derived from adenosine.

Treatment of the 5'-carboxaldehyde derived by Moffatt oxidation of 6-N-benzoyl-2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine (1) with the "(bromofluoromethylene)triphenylphosphorane" reagent and deprotection gave 9-(6-bromo-5, 6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-beta-d-ribo-hex-5-enofuranosyl)adenine (4). Parallel treatment with a "dibromomethylene Wittig reagent" and deprotection gave 9-(6,6-dibromo-5, 6-dideoxy-beta-d-ribo-hex-5-enofuranosyl)adenine (7), which also was prepared by successive bromination and dehydrobromination of the 6'-bromohomovinyl nucleoside 8. Bromination-dehydrobromination of the 5'-bromohomovinyl analogue 11 and deprotection gave (E)-9-(5, 6-dibromo-5,6-dideoxy-beta-d-ribo-hex-5-enofuranosyl)adenine (15). Compounds 4, 7, and 15 were designed as putative substrates of the "hydrolytic activity" of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase. Enzyme-mediated addition of water across the 5,6-double bond could generate electrophilic acyl halide or alpha-halo ketone species that could undergo nucleophilic attack by proximal groups on the enzyme. Such type II (covalent) mechanism-based inactivation is supported by protein labeling with 8-[3H]-4 and concomitant release of bromide and fluoride ions. Incubation of AdoHcy hydrolase with 7 or 15 resulted in irreversible inactivation and release of bromide ion. In contrast with type I mechanism-based inactivation, reduction of enzyme-bound NAD+ to NADH was not observed. Compounds 4, 7, and 15 were not inhibitory to a variety of viruses in cell culture, and weak cytotoxicity was observed only for CEM cells.

Inactivation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase and antiviral activity with 5',5',6',6'-tetradehydro-6'-deoxy-6'-halohomoadenosine analogues (4'-haloacetylene analogues derived from adenosine).

Treatment of a protected 9-(5, 6-dideoxy-beta-D-ribo-hex-5-ynofuranosyl)adenine derivative with silver nitrate and N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) and deprotection gave the 6'-iodo acetylenic nucleoside analogue 3c. Halogenation of 3-O-benzoyl-5,6-dideoxy-1, 2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-ribo-hex-5-enofuranose gave 6-halo acetylenic sugars that were converted to anomeric 1,2-di-O-acetyl derivatives and coupled with 6-N-benzoyladenine. These intermediates were deprotected to give the 6'-chloro 3a, 6'-bromo 3b, and 6'-iodo 3c acetylenic nucleoside analogues. Iodo compound 3c appears to inactivate S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase by a type I ("cofactor depletion") mechanism since complete reduction of enzyme-bound NAD+ to NADH was observed and no release of adenine or iodide ion was detected. In contrast, incubation of the enzyme with the chloro 3a or bromo 3b analogues resulted in release of Cl- or Br- and Ade, as well as partial reduction of E-NAD+ to E-NADH. Compounds 3a, 3b, and 3c were inhibitory to replication of vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, and reovirus-1 (3a < 3b < 3c, in order of increasing activity). The antiviral effects appear to correlate with type I mechanism-based inhibition of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase. Mechanistic considerations are discussed.

2'-Deoxy-2'-methylene derivatives of adenosine, guanosine, tubercidin, cytidine and uridine as inhibitors of L1210 cell growth in culture.

The 2'-deoxy-2'-methylene derivatives of adenosine (MdAdo), guanosine (MdGuo), tubercidin (MdTu), cytidine (MdCyd) and uridine (MdUrd) were synthesized as mechanism-based inhibitors directed at ribonucleotide reductase. It was shown that MdCyd 5'-diphosphate irreversibly inactivated ribonucleotide reductase from Escherichia coli (Baker et al., J Med Chem 34: 1879-1884, 1991). In studies reported here, MdAdo/EHNA, MdGuo and MdCyd inhibited L1210 cell growth with IC50 values of 3.4, 10.6 and 1.4 microM, respectively. Since MdAdo is a substrate for adenosine deaminase, the presence of EHNA was required to give maximal growth inhibition. 8-Aminoguanosine was not required to maximize the cytotoxic effects of MdGuo. The 2'-deoxy-2'-methylene derivatives of tubercidin and uridine did not inhibit L1210 cell growth at concentrations as high as 50 microM (MdTu) or 100 microM (MdUrd). L1210 cell lines resistant to hydroxyurea (directed at the non-heme iron subunit of ribonucleotide reductase) or deoxyadenosine (directed at the effector binding subunit of ribonucleotide reductase) were not resistant to MdCyd. An L1210 cell line that was highly resistant to dGuo due to the loss of a relatively specific deoxyribonucleoside kinase (Cory et al., J Biol Chem 268: 405-409, 1993) had a 6.6-fold increase in the IC50 value toward MdCyd, but showed only a 2-fold increase in resistance to MdGuo. Another L1210 cell line that was markedly deficient in adenosine kinase activity was highly resistant to MdAdo. Analysis by flow cytometry showed that MdCyd showed the transit of the cells through the G2/M phase of the cell cycle resulting in the buildup of the G2/M population. MdAdo, MdGuo and MdCyd inhibited the incorporation of [14C]cytidine into DNA without an effect on RNA synthesis or total cellular uptake of [14C]cytidine. The conversion of [14C]cytidine to deoxycytidine nucleotides was partially inhibited by MdGuo, but not by MdAdo or MdCyd. These data show that the 2'-deoxy-2'-methylene derivatives of adenosine, guanosine and cytidine are activated via specific nucleoside kinases and that the modes of action of these compounds are not identical.

Renal transport of 2'-deoxytubercidin in mice.

Previous results [J. F. Kuttesch, Jr. and J. A. Nelson, Cancer Chemother, Pharmac. 8, 221 (1982)] from this laboratory indicate that mechanisms exist for renal secretion of 2'-deoxyadenosine and possibly for reabsorption of adenosine in humans and in mice. Since significant metabolism of these purine nucleosides occurs even in the presence of adenosine deaminase inhibitors, the renal handling of a compound which is not significantly metabolized by the deaminase or by kinases was studied. Unlike 2'-deoxyadenosine itself, the 2'-deoxyadenosine analog, [4-amino-7-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-pyrrolo-(2,3-d)pyrimidine; 2'-deoxytubercidin], is not significantly metabolized by mammalian tissues. In mice, the renal plasma clearance of 2'-deoxytubercidin exceeded that of inulin by about 3-fold. Also, mouse kidney slices concentratively accumulated 2'-deoxytubercidin by a saturable and metabolically dependent process. The uptake by mouse kidney slices was inhibited by classical substrates for the organic cation secretory system (tetraethylammonium, choline and N1-methylnicotinamide) but was not markedly inhibited by classical substrates for the organic anion secretory system (p-aminohippurate, phenol red and probenecid). Since 2'-deoxytubercidin inhibited the active, concentrative uptake of [14C]tetraethylammonium, but failed to inhibit the uptake of p-[14C]aminohippurate by mouse kidney slices, it is concluded that 2'-deoxytubercidin may be secreted by the organic cation system. Additional studies are required, however, to unequivocally establish the relationships between 2'-deoxytubercidin, 2'-deoxyadenosine and tetraethylammonium renal secretory mechanisms.

Investigations on the anti-HIV activity of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine analogues with modifications in either the pentose or purine moiety. Potent and selective anti-HIV activity of 2,6-diaminopurine 2',3'-dideoxyriboside.

Several 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine analogues with modifications in either the ribose or purine moiety were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in MT-4 cell cultures. The 2',3'-dideoxyriboside of 2,6-diaminopurine (ddDAPR) inhibited HIV antigen expression and HIV-induced cytopathogenicity at a 50% effective dose of 2.4-3.8 microM, as compared to 3-6 microM for 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (ddAdo), whereas 50% inhibition of MT-4 cell viability was noted only at a concentration of 477 and 889 microM, respectively. Both ddDAPR and ddAdo were only weakly inhibitory to the proliferation of a number of T-lymphoblast and T-lymphocyte cell lines, pointing to the selectivity of these compounds as anti-HIV agents. In contrast to ddAdo, ddDAPR was found to be a poor substrate for adenosine deaminase, which may be advantageous from a chemotherapeutic viewpoint. Substitution of an azido or fluoro group at the 2' and 3'-position of the ribose moiety in either "up" or "down" configurations resulted in a decrease of the anti-HIV potency and selectivity of ddAdo. In addition to ddDAPR other purine-modified ddAdo analogues, i.e. several pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides, were investigated for their anti-HIV activity, but none of these derivatives proved as potent or selective as ddDAPR.