A novel procedure for the synthesis of 2'-O-alkyl nucleotides

Medicinal Chemistry of the Noncanonical Cyclic Nucleotides cCMP and cUMP

After decades of intensive research on adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)- and guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-related second messenger systems, also the noncanonical congeners cyclic cytidine-3',5'-monophosphate (cCMP) and cyclic uridine-3',5'-monophosphate (cUMP) gained more and more interest. Until the late 1980s, only a small number of cCMP and cUMP analogs with sometimes undefined purities had been described. Moreover, most of these compounds had been rather synthesized as precursors of antitumor and antiviral nucleoside-5'-monophosphates and hence had not been tested for any second messenger activity. Along with the recurring interest in cCMP- and cUMP-related signaling in the early 2000s, it became evident that well-characterized small molecule analogs with reliable purities would serve as highly valuable tools for the evaluation of a putative second messenger role of cyclic pyrimidine nucleotides. Meanwhile, for this purpose new cCMP and cUMP derivatives have been developed, and already known analogs have been resynthesized and highly purified. This chapter summarizes early medicinal chemistry work on cCMP and cUMP and analogs thereof, followed by a description of recent synthetic developments and an outlook on potential future directions.

Novel N7- and N1-substituted cGMP derivatives are potent activators of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, key players in olfactory and visual signal transduction, generate electrical responses to odorant- and light-induced changes in cyclic nucleotide concentration. Previous work suggests that substitutions are tolerated solely at the C8 position on the purine ring of cGMP. Our studies with C8, 2'-OH, and 2-NH2-modified cGMP derivatives support this assertion. To gain further insight into determinants important for CNG channel binding and activation, we targeted previously unexplored positions. Modifications at N7 of 8-SH-cGMP (6) are well tolerated by olfactory and retinal rod CNG channels. Toleration of a very large substituent, a 3400 molecular weight PEG, at either N7 or C8 argues for broad accommodation at these positions in the binding site. Modification at N1 of cGMP reduces the apparent affinity for the channel; however, when combined with 8-parachlorophenylthio derivatization, the resulting cGMP analogue is more potent than cGMP itself. These studies establish the N7 and N1 positions of cGMP as targets for modification in the design of novel CNG channel agonists.

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of 2'-O-methoxyethyl ribonucleosides using a phosphodiesterase from Serratia marcescens

An enzyme able to cleave the 3',5'-phosphate ring of 2'-methoxyethyl cyclic nucleotides (3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, EC 3.1.4.17) from Serratia marcescens DSM 30121 was used to deprotect the cyclic phosphate nucleotides after chemical alkylation. The process yielded 2'-O-alkylated nucleosides used as building blocks of antisense oligonucleotides for subsequent potential applications in therapeutics (antisense oligonucleotide synthesis) and diagnostics. The phosphodiesterase from the Gram-negative enteric bacterium S. marcescens was selected on account of the broad substrate range and high activity of the enzyme. The protein was purified by heat-treatment of the crude cell-free extract, followed by column chromatography (gel filtration). It was characterised and showed optimal activity at a broad pH range (pH 6.8-9.4, with a peak at ca. pH 8.5) and at a temperature of 60-65 degrees C. No metal ions were required for activity, although Ba2+ was an activator. Conversion of 2'-O-methoxyethyl cAMP into the corresponding nucleoside derivative on a multi-gram scale was successfully performed in two steps, using the S. marcescens enzyme in conjunction with a commercially available alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia coli.

Hydrogen bond catalysis of mononucleotide ethylation supports non-random DNA alkylations by N-ethyl, N-nitrosourea

The axial (ax.) and equatorial (eq.) diastereomeric forms of phosphate triesters resulting from reactions of N-ethyl, N-nitrosourea with 3 cyclic mononucleotides were analyzed by column liquid chromatography (CLC). Evidence is presented that the 2'OH group of 3', 5'cAMP essentially contributes to the stereoselective eq. alkyl substitution, most probably by hydrogen bonding catalysis. The neighboring group direction of ethylation gives substantial support to non-random DNA alkylations by NEU.

Polynucleotides. XLV Synthesis and properties of poly(2'-azido-2'-deoxyinosinic acid)

Poly (2'-azido-2'-deoxyinosinic acid), [poly (Iz)], was synthesized from 2'-azido-2'-deoxyinosine diphosphate by the action of polynucleotide phosphorylase. Poly (Iz) has UV absorption properties similar to poly (I) and hypochromicity of 11% at 0.15M Na+ and neutrality. In solutions of high Na+ ion concentration, poly (Iz) forms a multi-stranded complex and its Tm at 1.0M Na+ ion concentration was 43 degrees. Upon mixing with poly (C), poly (Iz) forms a 1:1 complex having a Tm lower than that of poly (I)-poly (C) complex in the same conditions. The effect of substitution at the 2'-position of the poly (I) strand was discussed in relation to the interferon-inducing activity.

Synthesis of acylamino acid esters of nucleoside 5'-phosphates and their investigation with PMR and CD spectra

The acylamino acid esters of nucleoside 5'-phosphates are synthesized via condensation of N-(N'-acylaminoacyl) imidazoles with nucleoside 5'-phosphates. The PMR and CD spectra of the esters obtained are studied. The 3'-isomers of the substances under study are observed to have a shift in the conformational N in equilibrium S equilibrium of the carbohydrate moiety in favour of the S-form as compared to the initial nucleosides and their 2'-acyl esters.

O2'-Methylinosine, a constituent of the ribosomal RNA of Crithidia fasciculata

A novel nucleoside, O2'-methylinosine (Im), has been identified as a constituent of the ribosomal RNA of Crithidia fasciculata, a hemoflaggelate protozoan. The nucleoside is released as part of an alkali-stable dinucleotide, Im-Up, by alkaline hydrolysis of Crithidia rRNA, and as a 5'-nucleotide, pIm, by snake venom hydrolysis of the same RNA. The Im-containing derivatives isolated from Crithidia rRNA were characterized by comparison with marker compounds prepared by chemical deamination of the corresponding adenosine analogues. O2'-Methylinosine prepared from either natural Im-Up or natural pIm had the same ultraviolet absorption spectra and chromatographic properties as marker Im. Characterization of the base and sugar components of Im as hypoxanthine and 2-O-methylribose, respectively, provided final confimration of structure. Control experiments have eliminated the possibility that Im arises from O2'-methyladenosine (Am), a known constituent of ribosomal RNA, by chemical or enzymatic deamination during hydrolysis of Crithidia rRNA.