Human herpes simplex virus: life cycle and development of inhibitors.

WHO reports that 90% of human population is infected by different types of herpesviruses, which develop latency or cause oral and genital herpes, conjunctivitis, eczema herpeticum, and other diseases. Herpesvirus almost always accompanies HIV-infection and complicates AIDS treatment. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is one of the most wide spread viruses from the Herpesviridae family. HSV virion, genome structure, replication mechanisms, antiherpes drug development strategies, including design of prodrugs, and mutations causing ACV-resistance in clinical HSV isolates are discussed in this review.

[2'fluoro derivatives of nucleosides as substrates of viral replicative nucleotide polymerases].

Substrate specificities of three viral replicative polymerases of different origins (HIV reverse transcriptase, hepatitis C virus RNA polymerase, and herpes virus DNA polymerase) towards 2'F-NTP were studied. Activated DNA, polyA-oligoUs and (2'F-A)20-oligoU6-complexes were used as templates. It was shown that all DNA polymerases studied can incorporate 2'F-NMP into the 3'-end of primer-template complexes. HIV reverse transcriptase and herpes virus DNA polymerase can elongate synthesis with both dNTP and 2'F-NTP. Homopolymer (2'F-A)20 can serve as a template for polymerization of both UTP and 2'F-UTP,-catalyzed by hepatitis C virus polymerase although with efficacy about 5 to 10-fold lower in comparison with natural primertemplate complex. Pyrophosphorolysis reaction of 2'F-CMP residue at 3'-end of primer catalyzed with HIV reverse transcriptase is going by two orders of magnitude less effective if compared with natural dNMP residue at the same system.

[Research of suppression of the herpes simplex virus reproduction with drug resistance by combination phosphite of acycloguanosine with some antiherpetic drugs].

The activity of the phosphite of acycloguanosine (P-ACG) and six antivirals was tested individually and in double and triple combinations on two strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (sensitive to acyclovir and resistant to acyclovir) using the CPE inhibition method in the Vero E6 cell microcultures. These are: phosphite of acycloguanosine (P-ACG), Ara-A, cidofovir (CDV), ribavirin (Rib), phosphonoformate (PFA), glycyrrhizic acid (GLN) and alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN). All studied double combinations and triple combinations including P-ACV inhibited replication of both HSV strains more effectively than any drug alone. Various types of interactions depending on the virus type were observed in both viral models: synergistic (double combinations P-ACG with PFA, CDV, Rib, alpha-IFN and triple combinations P-ACG with alpha-IFN +PFA, alpha-IFN +AraA, alpha-IFN +CDV, PFA+CDV, PFA+Rib, CDV+AraA, CDV+Rib, CDV+GLN,PFA+AraA) and additive (P-ACG with AraA and PFA+GLN). Neither antagonism nor interference was noted for any combinations. Adduced results suggest that these combinations might be clinically useful for the treatment of certain herpes simplex virus type 1 infections.

[The suppression of a herpes simplex virus reproduction with drug resistance by combination 15lys-bis-nt and phosphate of acycloguanosine with some antiherpetic drugs].

Antiherpetic activity of the double and triple combinations, including original connections 15Lys-bis-Nt and phosphate of acycloguanosine (P-ACG), was studied in vitro. For the first time, it was demonstrated that in case of their combined use with known antiherpetic agents, whose activity does not depend on TK of HSV (PFA, AraA, CDV, Rib, GLN, αa-IFN), synergistic or additive effects of interaction was observed. The antiviral effect of the tested combinations was studied on the model of ACG-resistant viral strain. The tested combinations could be of interest for practical medicine.

[Anti-HIV nucleoside drugs: retrospective view at future].

This review provides data on the design of antiretroviral drugs based on nucleoside analogs. About 30 drugs were approved for the treatment of HIV-infected patients over 25 years. Seven nucleoside drugs are inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase and clinically used in combination with inhibitors of other viral enzymes, integrase and protease, and non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase. Toxicity of nucleoside drugs and approaches to obtaining of safe anti-HIV drugs are discussed. The results of developing of domestic anti-HIV drugs are presented. The future prospects of anti-HIV investigations are considered.

[Antiherpesviral activity of acycloguanosine H-phosphonate in experiments using laboratory animals].

A study of the antiherpesviral activity of acycloguanosine (ACG) H-phosphonate (ACG-P) on a model of fatal herpesvirus infection in inbred BALB/c albino mice has established that ACG-P reduces death rates in the animals, considerably increases their average lifespan, and significantly decreases brain virus titers with both 60% mortality in the control and 92% mortality in the control group. There was also a significant inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in the brain tissue of animals receiving ACG-P on a model of ACG-resistant HSV-1/L2/RACG(TK-).

1,2,4-Triazoloazine derivatives as a new type of herpes simplex virus inhibitors.

A new class of inhibitors of herpes simplex virus replication was found. The compounds under study are derived from condensed 1,2,4-triazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines and 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, structural analogues of natural nucleic bases. Antiherpetic activity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were studied. The corresponding triphosphates of several active compounds were prepared and tested as inhibitors of DNA synthesis catalyzed by herpes simplex virus polymerase. The potential mechanism of their action is blocking of DNA dependent DNA polymerase, a key enzyme of viral replication.

[Analysis of mutations in DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase genes of herpes simplex virus clinical isolates resistant to antiherpetic drugs].

The primary structures of DNA-polymerase (ul30) and thymidine kinase (ul23) genes from several herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) clinical isolates which differed in sensitivity for a number of antiherpetic drugs were determined and compared with those for two laboratory HSV-1 strains one of which was ACV-sensitive (L2), while the another was resistant (L2) to ACV. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed that conserved regions of ul30 gene of HSV-1 clinical isolates and L2 strain were homologous with the exception of point mutations and degenerated substitutions. Several new mutations in the HSV-1 DNA-polymerase and thymidine kinase functional domains were established and identified as the substitutions associated with the strain-resistance to ACV and other drugs.

[Comparative study of resistance to acycloguanosine and acycloguanosine H-phosphonate in herpes simplex virus].

The ability of acycloguanosine H-phosphate to inhibit the reproduction of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) variants, including its acycloguanosine (acyclovir)-resistant ones, was studied. Acycloguanosine H-phosphate-resistant HSV-1 variants were obtained. It was found that these variants were cross-resistant to thymidine kinase-dependent HSV reproduction inhibitors, but preserved sensitivity to Apa-A and phosphonoacetic acid.

[Structure-functional analysis of interactions of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase with new non-nucleoside substrates].

New non-nucleoside esters of phosphoric acid containing various hydrophobic groups, namely (1) N-(2-tripticencarbonyl)-4-aminobutyl; (2) 5-phenylsubstituted N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-4-aminobutyl; (3) N-(4-phenylbenzoyl)- and N-(4-(N-benzylamino)benzoyl)-2-aminoethyl groups, as well as (4) diphenylmethyl and fluorenyl groups were synthesized and studied as substrates of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. With the exception of the two latter derivatives, all the analogues displayed substrate properties and could incorporate into the deoxyoligonucleotide 3'-end. As it was shown in biochemical experiments and by computer modeling, a linker joining the triphosphate and hydrophobic fragments of the molecule was necessary for these compounds to display substrate properties.

Furano- and pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidine nucleosides and their 5'-O-triphospates: synthesis and enzymatic activity.

A series of bicyclic [2,3-d]furano- and pyrrolopyrimidine ribonucleosides were synthesized and converted chemically into corresponding 5'-O-triphosphates. Substrate properties of the triphosphates toward some RNA and DNA polymerases are reported.

Aryl-containing esters of triphosphoric acid as substrates of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.

A new group of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TDT) substrates, namely, non-nucleoside triphosphates (NNTP) bearing 5-substituted 2,4-dinitrophenyl fragments instead of nucleoside residues was synthesized.

Telomerase from human leukemia cells: properties and its interaction with deoxynucleoside analogues.

Telomerase is a unique reverse transcriptase involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. In an attempt to understand the properties of this enzyme and to study the effect of deoxynucleoside analogues, we have isolated and partially purified telomerase from the blast cells of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia. During the course of purification of telomerase, three characteristic forms of this enzyme activity were separated. Two processive forms and one less processive form were noted. All forms of the enzyme activities could be abolished by RNase A and proteinase K treatments, implying that they are ribonucleoproteins. The major form of telomerase was characterized with respect to divalent ion requirements, effect of salt and nonionic detergents. The Km of deoxynucleoside triphosphates was determined with a modified telomerase repeat array protocol assay. Studies with deoxynucleoside analogues indicated that 3'-azido-3'deoxythymidine triphosphate is much more inhibitory than 2',3'-dideoxy 2',3'didehydrothymidine triphosphate, and the cytidine analogue ddCTP was not inhibitory. ddGTP was the most potent inhibitor among all dideoxynucleosides studied.

Methylene bisphosphonates as the inhibitors of HIV RT phosphorolytic activity.

The structure-function analysis of 36 methylenebisphosphonates (BPs) as inhibitors of the phosphorolytic activity of native and drug-resistant forms of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) was performed. It was shown that with the increase of the inhibitory potential of BPs towards the phosphorolytic activity raises their ability to inhibit the RT-catalyzed DNA elongation. Herein, we report the impact of the thymidine analog mutations (TAM) on the activity of bisphosphonates, as well as some structural features of the BPs, allowing them to maintain the inhibitory activity on the enzyme resistant to nucleoside analog therapy. We estimated the Mg(2+)-coordinating group structure, the linker and the aromatic pharmacophore influence on the inhibitory potential of the BPs. Based on the 31 BPs SAR, several BPs with improved inhibitory properties were designed and synthesized.

Study of Antiherpetic Efficiency of Phosphite of Acycloguanosine Ableto Over come the Barrier of Resistance to Acyclovir.

As has been shown previously, phosphite of acycloguanosine (Hp-ACG) exhibits equal efficacy against ACV-sensitive and ACV-resistant HSV-1 strains in cell culture. Intraperitoneal administration of Hp-ACG to model mice with herpetic encephalitis caused by HSV-1 infection was shown to be effective in protecting against death. In the present work, we continue the study of the antiviral efficiency of Hp-ACG against HSV administered non-invasively; namely in vivo, orally and in the form of ointment formulations. It has been first shown that oral administration of Hp-ACG twice daily for five days prevents systemic infection in mice caused by HSV-1. Mortality in the control group of animals was 57%. Administration of Hp-ACG at doses of 600, 800 and 1,000 mg/kg per day significantly increased the survival and median day of death of the animals compared to the placebo-treated control group. A comparative evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy parameters of polyethylene glycol-based ACV ointment and Hp-ACG ointment was carried out after a 5-day course in the model of an experimental cutaneous infection of HSV-1 in guinea pigs. It was found that Hp-ACG has a significant therapeutic effect resulting in a statistically significant reduction in the lesion's surface area and the amount of vesicular structures. The exhibited therapeutic effect of 10% Hp-ACG in ointment form compares well with that of 5% ACG ointment.

Data on synthesis of methylene bisphosphonates and screening of their inhibitory activity towards HIV reverse transcriptase.

Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) mimetics designed on a basis of methylenediphosphonic acid backbone are promising inhibitors of two key HIV replication enzymes, IN [1] and RT [2]. Herein, we present chemical synthesis of eleven methylenebisphosphonates (BPs) with their NMR and HRMS analysis synthesized via five different ways. Also, we present data on inhibition of HIV RT catalyzed phosphorolysis and polymerization by synthesized BPs using two methods based on denaturing urea PAGE. Tests were also performed for thymidine analogue mutations reverse transcriptase (TAM RT), which was expressed and purified for that. Structure-activity relationships and inhibitory activity data of synthesized BPs are presented in "Methylene bisphosphonates as the inhibitors of HIV RT phosphorolytic activity" [2].

Inhibition of replicative DNA synthesis in nuclei of Strongylocentrotus intermedium urchin embryo by 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-aminonucleoside 5'-triphosphates.

2',3'-Dideoxy-3'-aminonucleoside 5'-triphosphates have been shown to be inhibitors of replicative DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei of sea urchin embryo. These compounds inhibit the Okazaki fragment synthesis. The effect of 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-aminothymidine 5'-triphosphate and arabinothymidine 5'-triphosphate is reversible when adding the corresponding substrate for DNA synthesis, 2'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate.

Nucleoside 5'-triphosphates with modified sugars as substrates for DNA polymerases.

A number of nucleoside 5'-triphosphate analogs were tested with Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I and Klenow fragment of the enzyme, bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase and calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha. It was shown that 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphates as well as a number of 3'-derivatives of dTTP(3'NH2) are able to terminate DNA synthesis catalyzed by each enzyme if the reaction is performed in the absence of natural substrates. ddNTP and dNTP(3'F) were found to be inactive with DNA polymerase alpha only, but araNTP(3'NH2) was inactive with E. coli DNA polymerase I. dTTP(3'N3), dGTP(3'N'3), dCTP(3'N3), araNTP(3'N3) and (alpha-thio)dTTP(3'F) were unable to inhibit any of the above-mentioned DNA polymerases, in contrast to reverse transcriptase, accessible to the most nucleotide analogs tested.

2',3'-Dideoxy-3'-aminonucleoside 5'-triphosphates inhibit the repair of DNA in rat liver chromatin.

2',3'-Dideoxy-3'-aminonucleoside 5'-triphosphates are shown to be strong inhibitors of repair DNA synthesis in gamma-irradiated rat liver chromatin. The activity of these compounds is comparable with that of the most effective inhibitor of the DNA polymerase beta-catalyzed repair DNA synthesis.

Nucleoside 5'-triphosphates modified at sugar residues as substrates for calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and for AMV reverse transcriptase.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase from calf thymus and RNA-directed DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) from the avian myeloblastosis virus catalyze the incorporation of 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphates, as well as some of their 3'-derivatives, 3'-amino-3'-deoxyarabinonucleoside 5'-triphosphates and some other nucleoside 5'-triphosphates modified at sugar residues. After incorporation of the appropriate 5'-mononucleotide residue into the DNA, further chain elongation is blocked. This finding opens up a possibility for selective inhibition of DNA synthesis catalyzed by a certain enzyme.