Synthesis and biological activity of 5-fluoro-4'-thiouridine and some related nucleosides

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of a Series of 2'-C-Methyl-4'-thionucleoside Monophosphate Prodrugs

The NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a validated target for nucleoside antiviral drug therapy. We endeavored to synthesize and test a series of 4'-thionucleosides with a monophosphate prodrug moiety for their antiviral activity against HCV and other related viruses in the Flaviviridae family. Nucleoside analogs were prepared via the stereoselective Vorbrüggen glycosylation of various nucleobases with per-acetylated 2-C-methyl-4-thio-d-ribose built in a 10-step synthetic sequence from the corresponding ribonolactone. Conjugation of the thionucleoside to a ProTide phosphoramidate allowed for evaluation of the prodrugs in the cellular HCV replicon assay with anti-HCV activities ranging from single-digit micromolar (μM) to >200 μM. The diminished anti-HCV potency of our best compound compared to its 4'-oxo congener is the subject of ongoing research in our lab and is proposed to stem from changes in sugar geometry imparted by the larger sulfur atom.

Review of α-nucleosides: from discovery, synthesis to properties and potential applications

Nucleic acids play an important role in the genetic process of organisms; nucleosides, the building block of nucleic acids, typically exist in nature in a β configuration. As an anomer of β-nucleoside, α-nucleoside is extremely rare in nature. Because of their unique and interesting properties such as high stability, specific parallel double-stranded structure and some other biochemical properties, α-nucleosides have attracted wide attention. Various methods including but not limited to the mercuri procedure, fusion reaction and Vorbrüggen glycosylation have been used to synthesize α-nucleosides and their derivatives. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no review that has summarized these works. Therefore, we systematically review the discovery, synthesis, properties, and potential applications of α-nucleosides in this article and look to provide a reference for subsequent studies in the coming years.

Practical synthesis of 4'-thioribonucleosides starting from D-ribose

A practical synthesis of 4'-thioribonucleosides, i.e., 4'-thiouridine, -cytidine, -adenosine, and -guanosine, which are versatile units for nucleic acids-based therapeutics, is described. Large-scale synthesis of 4-thiosugar starting from D-ribose was achieved (33%) in eight steps and with only three chromatographic purifications. After the appropriate chemical conversion of the 4-thiosugar, the resulting sulfoxide was subjected to the Pummerer reaction in the presence of silylated nucleobases. In reactions with silylated pyrimidine bases, the desired 4'-thioribonucleoside derivatives were obtained in good yield and β-selectively. On the other hand, N-7 isomers were obtained mainly in the Pummerer reaction with purine bases under the same conditions. However, the desired N-9 isomers were obtained in moderate yields when the reaction mixtures were subsequently heated under reflux. As a result, effective synthesis of 4'-thioribonucleosides was accomplished.

Stereospecific Synthesis of Chiral 2,3-Dihydro-1,4-benzodithiine and Methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodithiine Derivatives and their Toxic Effects on Trypanosoma brucei

Preparation of chiral 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodithiine and methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodithiine derivatives with known absolute configurations from the easily accessible chiral synthons benzyl 4-O-trifloxy-2,3-anhydro-beta-L-ribopyranoside and benzyl 4-O-trifloxy-2,3-anhydro-alpha-D-ribopyranoside is described. These compounds showed significant in vitro toxicity of the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei with an IC50 of 11 microM. The parasites' energy metabolism and consumption of oxygen were found to be affected during incubation.

Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Anomeric 4‘-Thiaspirocyclic Ribonucleosides Carrying the Full Complement of RNA-Level Hydroxyl Substitution

[reaction: see text] Stereoselective syntheses of a group of 4'-thiaspirocyclic ribonucleosides featuring both pyrimidine and purine classes and both possible configurations at C-5' are described. Use is made of the Pummerer reaction of substrates carrying an alpha-oriented 2,4-dimethoxybenzoyloxy substituent at C-2 in order to gain reliable stereocontrol via neighboring group participation. Irrespective of the S or R configuration of the pivotal sulfoxide intermediates, the nucleobase is captured from the beta-face. The competing process is formation of unsaturated sulfoxides, presumably via competing E2-type elimination. Although differences in reactivity between the two stereoisomeric series were noted, the common route has successfully given rise for the first time to desirable beta-anomeric sulfur-containing spiroribonucleosides with minimum formation of the alpha-anomers.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Conformationally Constrained 2‘-Deoxy-4‘-thia β-Anomeric Spirocyclic Nucleosides Featuring Either Hydroxyl Configuration at C5‘

An enantioselective approach to 2'-deoxy-4'-thia spirocyclic nucleosides featuring an alpha- or beta-hydroxyl substituent at C-5' of the carbocyclic ring is detailed. The starting point is the mandelate acetal 8. The overall strategy involves the stereocontrolled dihydroxylation of this dihydrothiophene, subsequent generation of the keto acetonide 12 followed by its Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction and beta-elimination, protection of the resulting dihydroxy thiaglycal, electrophilic glycosidation according to the Haraguchi protocol, reductive removal of the phenylseleno group, and end-game global deprotection. Acquisition of the alpha- and beta-5'-isomers is equally facile. Various 1D and 2D NMR techniques are used for assigning configuration.

Synthesis, Structure−Activity Relationships, and Mechanism of Drug Resistance of d- and l-β-3‘-Fluoro-2‘,3‘-unsaturated-4‘-thionucleosides as Anti-HIV Agents

Various D- and L-2',3'-unsaturated 3'-fluoro-4'-thionucleosides (D- and L-3'F-4'Sd4Ns) were synthesized for the studies of structure-activity relationships. The synthesized D-2',3'-unsaturated 3'-fluoro-4'-thionucleosides did not show any significant antiviral activity against HIV-1, while unnatural L-nucleosides such as cytosine 34 (EC(50) = 0.13 microM; EC(90) = 1.7 microM) and 5-fluorocytosine 35 (EC(50) = 0.031 microM; EC(90) = 0.35 microM) derivatives exhibited potent anti-HIV activity without significant toxicity. Molecular modeling study shows that the 3'-fluorine atom of the d-2',3'-unsaturated cytidine triphosphate (D-3'F-4'Sd4CTP) experiences unfavorable electrostatic interaction with its own triphosphate moiety, resulting in the decreased binding affinity to wild-type HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), which may be one of the reasons for the insensitivity of HIV-1 RT to these compounds. On the other hand, L-3'F-4'Sd4CTP binds to the active site of wild-type HIV-1 RT without steric hindrance and there is a possible hydrogen bonding between the 3'-fluorine atom and Asp185, which correlates with its potent anti-HIV activity. However, L-3'F-4'Sd4C 34 and L-3'F-4'Sd4FC 35 showed high cross-resistance to 3TC-resistant mutant (M184V) RT. Like other unnatural L-nucleosides, the unfavorable steric hindrance of the sugar moiety of L-3'F-4'Sd4CTP with the side chain of Val184 explains its significant cross-resistance to the M184V mutant.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel 4'-thio-L-ribonucleosides with modified nucleobase moieties

1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-4-thio-beta-L-ribofuranose (13) was synthesized by an improved five-step sequence starting from methyl alpha-D-lyxopyranoside. Compound 13 was then converted to the corresponding L-4'-thionucleosides 4-6 and 19 by a modified Vorbrüggen procedure. All of these nucleoside analogues were tested for their antitumour activity in vitro.

A novel method for the synthesis of 4′-thiopyrimidine nucleosides using hypervalent iodine compounds

The coupling reactions of cyclic sulfides with a silylated pyrimidine nucleobase using a hypervalent iodine reagent were investigated. The reaction of silylated uracil with cyclic sulfide 12 using PhI=O gave the desired beta-anomer 14 in moderate yield. 4'-Thiouridine (22) was obtained by deprotection of 14.

Stereoselective synthesis and antiviral activity of D-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-2'-fluoro-4'-thionucleosides

As 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-2'-fluoronucleosides have exhibited interesting antiviral effects against HIV-1 as well as HBV, it is of interest to synthesize the isosterically substituted 4'-thionucleosides in which 4'-oxygen is replaced by a sulfur atom. To study structure-activity relationships, various pyrimidine and purine nucleosides were synthesized from the key intermediate (2R,4S)-1-O-acetyl-5-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-2-phenylselenyl-4-thio-beta-D-ribofuranoside 8, which was prepared from the 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde 1 in 13 steps. The antiviral activity of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against HIV-1 in human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells, among which cytidine 17, 5-fluorocytidine 18, adenosine 24, and 2-fluoroadenosine 32 showed moderate to potent anti-HIV activities (EC(50) 1.3, 11.6, 8.1, and 1.2 microM, respectively). It is noteworthy that 2-fluoroadenosine analogue 32 showed antiviral potency as well as high cytotoxicity (IC(50) 1.5, 1.1, and 7.6 microM for PBM, CEM, and Vero, respectively) whereas no other compound showed cytotoxicity up to 100 microM. The cytidine 17 and 5-fluorocytidine 18 analogues showed significantly decreased antiviral activity against the clinically important lamivudine-resistant variants (HIV-1(M184V)), whereas the corresponding D-2'-Fd4 nucleosides showed limited cross-resistance. Molecular modeling studies demonstrated that the larger van der Waals radius as well as the close proximity to Met184 of the 4'-sulfur atom of D-2'-F-4'-Sd4C (17) may be the reasons for the decreased antiviral potency of synthesized 4'-thio nucleosides against the lamivudine-resistant variants (HIV-1(M184V)).

Synthesis of novel L-2',3'-dideoxy-2'-trifluoromethyl-4'- thiocytidines from alpha-trifluoromethyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester

A short and efficient synthesis of L-2',3'-dideoxy-2'-trifluoromethyl-4'-thiocytidines is described. (2R,4S/2S,4S)-5-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-2-trifluoromethylpentan-4-olide (3a and 3b) are prepared from alpha-trifluoromethyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester (1) in three steps and converted to compounds 6a and 6b. The corresponding 1-O-acetyl derivatives 8a and 8b were obtained via the usual Pummerer rearrangement from 6a and 6b in two steps, which were in turn used to synthesize L-4'-thiocytidines 10a and 10b.

Synthesis of novel deoxy lambda(5) phospha sugar nucleosides: 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azidophospholane with alkynes

Several novel phospha sugar nucleosides, analogs of normal sugar nucleosides, were synthesized from a phospholene 1-oxide derivative. Bromination of a phospholene precursor in aqueous organic medium gave regio diastereomers, the threo and erythro bromohydrins 3 (1-bromo-1,3,4-trideoxy-1,4-C-[(R,S)-phenylphosphinylidene]-glycero-tetrofuranose). Further substitution of the threo isomer 3a with sodium azide led to its corresponding azidophospholane 4 (1-azido-1,3,4-trideoxy-2-methyl-1,4-C-[(R)-phenylphosphinylidene]-beta-D-glycero-tetrofuranose). 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of 4 with various electron-deficient and electron-rich alkynes afforded triazole derivatives that are nucleoside analogues. The strong electron-withdrawing phosphoryl group in the hemiacetal ring exerted no effect over reaction regioselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, but steric effects of the alkynes played a vital role on the selectivity, since the regioisomer ratios and the rates and yields of cycloadducts changed as the bulkiness of the substituents on the acetylene changes. Structures of all compounds were unequivocally confirmed by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR and mass spectral studies. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of some derivatives allowed determination of configuration of the phospha sugar nucleosides.

Synthesis and biological activity of certain 4'-thio-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides

A series of 4'-thio-D-arabinofuranosylpurine nucleosides was prepared and evaluated as potential anticancer agents. The details of a convenient and high-yielding synthesis of the carbohydrate precursor 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-4-thio-D-arabinofuranose (6) are presented. Proof of structure and configuration at all chiral centers of the nucleosides was obtained through an X-ray crystal structure of 9alpha as well as through NOE experiments on 9beta and 9alpha. All six target compounds were evaluated in a series of human cancer cell lines in culture. Two target compounds, beta anomers with diaminopurine (12) and guanine (16) as the bases, had significant cytotoxicity. One of these compounds (12) was selected for animal studies but was found to have no selectivity at the maximum tolerated dose in the murine colon 36 tumor model.

A facile, alternative synthesis of 4'-thioarabinonucleosides and their biological activities

4'-Thioarabinonucleosides, which are potential antiviral agents, were synthesized from D-glucose. 1,4-Anhydro-4-thioarabitol (8), which can be derived from diacetone glucose in nine steps, was subjected to Pummerer rearrangement after protection of the hydroxyl groups to give 1-O-acetyl-4-thioarabinose (11), which was condensed with nucleobases to give 4'-thioarabinonucleosides. The 5-substituted-4'-thioaraU (6a-e) derivatives showed anti-HSV-1 activity (ED50 = 0.43-3.50 micrograms/mL). 4'-ThioaraG (6h) and 2,6-diaminopurine 4'-thioarabinonucleoside (4'-thioaraDAP, 6g) showed antiviral activity against several herpes viruses and were particularly potent against human cytomegalovirus (0.010 and 0.022 microgram/mL, respectively).

A Novel Synthesis of 2'-Modified 2'-Deoxy-4'-thiocytidines from D-Glucose(1)

Novel 2'-deoxycytidine antimetabolites, specifically several 2'-modified 2'-deoxy-4'-thiocytidines, were synthesized as potential new antineoplastic agents. Methyl 3-O-benzylxylofuranoside was converted to a 1,4-anhydro-4-thioarabitol 24. Protection of the primary alcohol of 24 gave a common intermediate (15) which was useful for the synthesis of various 2'-modified 2'-deoxy-4'-thionucleosides. Oxidation of the secondary hydroxyl group of 15, followed by the Wittig reaction or treatment with (diethylamido)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) produced 2-deoxy-2-methylene (26) and 2-deoxy-2,2-difluoro (34) derivatives, respectively. Unique Pummerer-type glycosylation between the corresponding sulfoxides and trimethylsilylated N(4)-acetylcytosine produced 2'-deoxy-2'-methylene- (10) and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-4'-thiocytidines (11). On the other hand, treatment of 15 with DAST introduced a fluorine atom with retention of the 2'-stereochemistry, yielding 40. In contrast, the Mitsunobu reaction of 3-O-benzoyl derivative 53 which was obtained from 15 in five steps, using diphenylphosphoryl azide gave azide derivative 54 with inverted stereochemistry. These derivatives were converted to the corresponding 1-O-acetyl derivatives via the usual Pummerer rearrangement, which were in turn used to synthesize 4'-thiocytidines 12 and 58. Among the 2'-modified 4'-thiocytidines obtained, 2'-methylene (10) and 2'-fluoro (12) derivatives were found to have potent antineoplastic properties in vitro.

Nucleoside analogs. 14. The synthesis of antitumor activity in mice of molecular combinations of 5-fluorouracil and N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea moieties separated by a three-carbon chain

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) seco-nucleosdies having as the "sugar" moiety a two-carbon (C2) side chain carrying a N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea group were designed as molecular combinations of antimetabolite and alkylating agent, but hydrolytic release of free 5-FU was not fast enough for significant contribution to the high activity they showed against colon and breast tumors in mice. In the present study of the synthesis of the more reactive C3 seco-nucleosides, it emerged that, of various groups attached to the aldehydic center in the precursor phthalimides, only the alkoxy/uracil-1-yl type was conveniently obtained by the standard method. The methylthio/uracil-1-yl analog required relatively large amounts of reagent methanethiol, and exploration of alternatives involving alpha-chlorination of alkyl methyl sulfide or Pummerer rearrangement of its S-oxide, or successive hydrolysis and methylation of isothiouronium bromide, gave disappointing yields. For successful preparation of the alkoxy/uracil-3-yl compounds, the route used for C2 homologs required considerable experimental modification. In addition to these O,N- and S,N-acetals, some N,N-acetals bearing two 5-FU residues were prepared. The new drugs have been tested against a panel of experimental tumors in mice. Although it is evident from a parallel study that even these C3 seco-nucleosides release free 5-FU too slowly in vivo, several of them have shown impressive anticancer activity. Reviewing their performance in comparison with earlier molecular combinations, a short list of seven [B.4152 (6), B.4015 (5), B.4030 (10), B.3999 (4), B.3995 (2), B.4083 (3), and B.3996 (the N 3-substituted analog of 1)] should be investigated further. This is particularly appropriate in light of the present understanding of the mode of action of chloroethylating agents. Following a prolonged period of clinical impatience with nitrosoureas because of limited selectivity action, a new era is confidently anticipated as these powerful drugs are increasingly studied in combination with O6-benzylguanine and other more efficient inhibitors of repair enzymes like O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase now being developed.

Synthesis and anti-herpes virus activity of 2'-deoxy-4'-thiopyrimidine nucleosides

A series of 5-substituted 2'-deoxy-4'-thiopyrimidine nucleosides was synthesized and evaluated as potential antiviral agents. A number of analogues such as 2'-deoxy-5-propyl-4'-thiouridine (3ii), 2'-deoxy-5-isopropyl-4'-thiouridine (3iii), 5-cyclopropyl-2'-deoxy-4'-thiouridine (3iv), 2'-deoxy-4'-thio-5-vinyluridine (3viii), and 5-(2-chloroethyl)-2'-deoxy-4'-thiouridine (3xx) were found to be highly active against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in vitro with no significant cytotoxicity. The compound with the broadest spectrum of activity was 2'-deoxy-5-ethyl-4'-thiouridine (3i) which showed significant activity against HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 2'-deoxy-4'-thio purine nucleosides

A series of 2'-deoxy-4'-thioribo purine nucleosides was prepared by trans-N-deoxyribosylase-catalyzed reaction of 2'-deoxy-4'-thiouridine with a variety of purine bases. This synthetic procedure is an improvement over methods previously used to prepare purine 4'-thio nucleosides. The compounds were tested against hepatitis B virus (HBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Cytotoxicity was determined in a number of cell lines. Several compounds were extremely potent against HBV and HCMV and had moderate to severe cytotoxicity in vitro. The lead compound from the series, 2-amino-6-(cyclopropylamino)purine 2'-deoxy-4'-thioriboside, was the most potent and selective agent against HCMV and HBV replication in vitro; however, this analogue was nephrotoxic when tested in vivo.

Metabolism and metabolic actions of 4'-thiothymidine in L1210 cells

4'-Thiothymidine (S-dThd) is a potent inhibitor of L1210 cell growth and is active against P388 leukemia in mice. Because of these activities and its novel structure, we have begun studies of its metabolism and metabolic actions in L1210 cells in order to understand its mechanism of cytotoxicity, S-dThd inhibited the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into DNA, but did not inhibit the incorporation of either uridine or leucine into RNA or protein, respectively, which indicated that the mechanism of its toxicity was due to its inhibition of DNA synthesis. S-dThd did not decrease the concentration of any of the natural deoxynucleoside triphosphates, which indicated that its cytotoxicity was not due to the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. S-dThd was readily phosphorylated and used as a substrate for DNA synthesis. Because the rate of incorporation of S-dThd into DNA was 20% that of thymidine, it is likely that the mechanism of action of S-dThd is not due to inhibition of DNA polymerases by the 5'-triphosphate of S-dThd, but instead to its incorporation into the DNA and its subsequent disruption of some function of DNA.

alpha-DNA. I. Synthesis, characterization by high field 1H-NMR, and base-pairing properties of the unnatural hexadeoxyribonucleotide alpha-[d(CpCpTpTpCpC)] with its complement beta-[d(GpGpApApGpG)]

The novel deoxyribonucleotide alpha-[d(CpCpTpTpCpC)] and its complement beta-[d(GpGpApApGpG)] were synthesized by the phosphotriester method. 1H-NMR-NOE examination of the alpha-hexamer revealed that the cytosine and thymine bases appear to adopt anti conformations in this strand. In addition the deoxyribose of the thymidine moieties may adopt average conformations approximating to C3'-endo while the cytidine furanose groups are close to C2'-endo conformations. Both hyperchromicity in thermal melting and detection of base paired imino protons in 1H-NMR studies in H2O provide evidence for the annealing of alpha-d[CCTTCC] with its complement beta-d[GGAAGG] in potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.1 containing 10 mM magnesium chloride. Under these conditions thermal melting begins at 38 degrees C and its complete at approximately 45 degrees C. NOE experiments do not permit a decision on the polarity of annealing (predicted to be parallel) for this particular pair of sequences.

A conformational basis for the antiviral inactivity of tetrazole ribonucleosides

The antiviral activity of ribavirin has been associated with its inhibition of the enzyme, IMP dehydrogenase. The ability of ribavirin to inhibit this enzyme has previously been shown to be related to its stability in the high anti glycosidic conformation. The antiviral effectiveness of several analogs of ribavirin have been investigated recently. The evidence indicates their antiviral effectiveness is related to their stability in the high anti conformation. Recently the disposition of purine analogs that pass through the inosine monophosphate branch point has been investigated. The results of these studies are consistent with the concept that the conversion of IMP to XMP requires the high anti conformation and that the conversion of IMP to adenylosuccinate requires some other conformation, possibly the anti conformation.