Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Balzarini

Publications and source records attributed to J Balzarini.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

5'-O-phosphonomethyl-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides: synthesis and anti-HIV activity.

5'-O-Phosphonomethylation of different pyrimidine 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides was accomplished by reaction of the latter with diethyl [(p-toylsulfonyl)oxy]methanephosphonate (1) in the presence of sodium hydride. The base-phosphonomethylated (15-19) and sugar-phosphonomethylated (8-12) derivatives could be readily distinguished by 1H and 13C NMR and MS analysis. Protection of the uracil or thymine residue with a N3-benzoyl group failed to prevent base modification. However, O4-methyl-protected 2',3'-dideoxyuridine readily afforded the 5'-O-phosphonomethylated derivative 12, which was converted to both the 2',3'-didoxyuridine analogue 27 and the 2',3'-dideoxycytidine counterpart 29. The 5'-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of 3'-deoxythymidine (23), 2',3'-dideoxyuridine, (27), 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (29), 3'-O-methylthymidine (26), and 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine (28) did not show an appreciable anti-HIV activity in MT-4 cells. In contrast, the 5'-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of 3'-deoxy-3'-fluorothymidine (24) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (25) inhibited HIV-1 cytopathogenicity by 50% at a concentration of approximately 1 microM.

Antiviral Agents↗

Suppression of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in vivo by 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine.

The acyclic purine nucleoside analogue 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine [PMEA; formerly referred to as 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine] is a potent and selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus replication in vitro and of Moloney murine sarcoma virus-induced tumor formation in mice. In the latter system PMEA has stronger antiretroviral potency and selectivity than 3'-azido-3'-thymidine (AZT). We have now investigated the effect of the drug in cats infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). In vitro, PMEA was found to efficiently block FIV replication in feline thymocytes (50% effective dose, 0.6 microM). When administered to cats at doses of 20, 5, or 2 mg/kg per day, PMEA caused a dose-dependent suppression of FIV replication and virus-specific antibody production. Seropositive field cats with signs of opportunistic infection (gingivitis, stomatitis, and diarrhea) showed clinical improvement during PMEA therapy (5 mg/kg per day) and recurrence of the disease after treatment was discontinued. Thus, FIV infection in cats is an excellent model to test the efficacy of selective anti-human immunodeficiency virus agents in vivo.

Adenine↗

Potent DNA chain termination activity and selective inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase by 2',3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate.

2',3'-Dideoxyuridine (ddUrd) exhibits poor if any anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity in ATH8 and MT-4 cells. This is in agreement with the failure of ddUrd to be efficiently anabolized intracellularly to its 5'-triphosphate metabolite. However, 2',3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate (ddUTP) proved to be a potent and selective inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase of HIV (Ki, 0.05 microM) and avian myeloblastosis virus (Ki, 1.0 microM). Bacterial DNA polymerase I, mammalian DNA polymerase alpha, terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase, and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase were resistant to ddUTP. ddUTP is incorporated into the growing DNA chain principally at dTTP sites and inhibits further elongation. The potential of ddUTP as an anti-HIV therapeutic agent merits further investigation. However, to achieve this goal, it will be necessary to resort to techniques capable of delivering preformed phosphorylated ddUrd to the susceptible cells.

Animals↗

Establishment of a bioassay to determine serum levels of dextran sulfate and pentosan polysulfate, two potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus.

Dextran sulfate and pentosan polysulfate are two promising candidate anti-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) drugs that have already been the subject of initial clinical trials in patients with AIDS. There is at present no reliable assay method to monitor blood drug levels in humans following the administration of either drug. We have now developed a sensitive bioassay system based on the inhibitory activity of the compounds against human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) in MT-4 cells. This method permits the detection in (rabbit) serum samples of dextran sulfate and pentosan polysulfate concentrations as low as 3.0 and 0.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. Pharmacokinetic studies with dextran sulfate and pentosan polysulfate in rabbits indicated that the half-life of these compounds after intravenous bolus injection is approximately 1 h 24 min.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

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.

Animals↗

Carbocyclic 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (C-IDU) and carbocyclic (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (C-BVDU) as unique examples of chiral molecules where the two enantiomeric forms are biologically active: interaction of the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of C-IDU and C-BVDU with the thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of the carbocyclic analogues of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (C-BVDU) and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (C-IDU) were synthesized by separate routes. Both the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of C-BVDU and C-IDU were markedly inhibitory to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. (+)-C-BVDU and (+)-C-IDU were as inhibitory to HSV-1 as the racemic (+/-)-C-BVDU and (+/-)-C-IDU, respectively, whereas the (-)-enantiomers were only 10-fold less active. Also, the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of C-BVDU were equally inhibitory to the growth of murine mammary carcinoma cells transformed by the HSV-1 or HSV-2 thymidine kinase (TK) gene (designated FM3A TK-/HSV-1 TK+ and FM3A TK-/HSV-2 TK+). The (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of C-BVDU and the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of C-IDU had a remarkably similar affinity for HSV-1 TK [Ki, 0.09 and 0.19 microM for (+)-C-BVDU and (+)-C-IDU and 0.16 and 0.19 microM for (-)-C-BVDU and (-)-C-IDU, respectively]. The inhibition of HSV-1 TK by BVDU, IDU, (+)-C-BVDU, and (+)-C-IDU was purely competitive with regard to the natural substrate (thymidine), whereas (-)-C-BVDU, (-)-C-IDU, (+/-)-C-BVDU, and (+/-)C-IDU showed a linear mixed-type inhibition of HSV-1 TK. C-BVDU and C-IDU are examples of chiral molecules of which both isomeric forms are markedly active at both the cellular and enzymatic level.

Animals↗

Role of the incorporation of (E)-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and its carbocyclic analogue into DNA of herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells in the antiviral effects of these compounds.

The carbocyclic analogue of (E)-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (C-IVDU) is, like its parent compound (E)-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (IVDU), a potent and selective inhibitor of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). There is a close correlation between the inhibition of viral DNA synthesis and the antiviral activity of both IVDU and C-IVDU. IVDU and C-IVDU inhibit viral DNA synthesis at 0.2 and 0.5 microM, respectively, and interfere with cellular DNA synthesis at concentrations that are 10- to 40-fold in excess of their antivirally effective doses. At concentrations affording a similar antiviral effect, C-[125I]IVDU is incorporated into viral and cellular DNA of HSV-1-infected Vero cells to a 7- to 10-fold lesser extent than IVDU. [125I]IVDU but not C-[125I]IVDU leads to breakage of both DNA strands when incorporated into HSV-1 DNA.

Animals↗

Highly specific inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by a novel 6-substituted acyclouridine derivative.

A novel 6-substituted acyclouridine derivative, 1-[(2-hydroxy-ethoxy) methyl]-6-phenylthiothymine (HEPT), has proved to be a potent and selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. HEPT inhibits HIV-1 replication in various T4 cell cultures as well as peripheral blood lymphocytes and macrophages. The 50% antiviral effective concentration for HIV-1 (HTLV-IIIB) in MT-4 cells is 7.0 microM, while the 50% cytotoxic concentration for mock-infected MT-4 cells is 740 microM. Although HEPT is inhibitory to various strains of HIV-1, it has no effect on the replication of other retroviruses including HIV type 2. In contrast with the dideoxynucleoside (i.e. azidothymidine) 5'-triphosphates, the triphosphate of HEPT does not interact with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The mechanism of action of HEPT remains subject of further study.

Antiviral Agents↗

2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-5-chlorocytidine is a selective anti-retrovirus agent.

2',3'-Didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-5-chlorocytidine (D4CC) is, in contrast with 2',3'-dideoxy-5-chlorocytidine (ddClCyd) and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine (D4CU), a potent and selective inhibitor of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and simian AIDS related virus (SRV). D4CC is a poor inhibitor of the phosphorylation of [5-3H]2'-deoxycytidine (dCyd) by partially purified MT-4 cell dCyd kinase (Ki: 612 microM). The findings that (i) D4CC has little, if any, affinity for MT-4 cell Cyd/dCyd deaminase, (ii) D4CU is not antivirally active and (iii) the antiretroviral action of D4CC can be reversed by dCyd, but not dThd, indicate that D4CC is antivirally active as its Cyd metabolite (D4CC 5'-triphosphate) and does not need to be deaminated (to the corresponding Urd metabolite) to exert its antiretroviral action.

Antiviral Agents↗

Homocysteine potentiates the antiviral and cytostatic activity of those nucleoside analogues that are targeted at S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

Various adenosine analogues, i.e. (S)-9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine, (RS)-3-adenin-9-yl-2-hydroxypropanoic acid, carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine and neplanocin A, which have been previously recognized as specific inhibitors of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase, gained a marked increase in their cytostatic activity (against tumor cells) and antiviral activity (against vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis virus) in the presence of L-homocysteine (10(-3) M). Homocysteine did not increase the cytostatic or antiviral activity of those compounds (i.e. tubercidin, ribavirin, acyclovir or vidarabine) that do not achieve their biological activity via SAH hydrolase inhibition. The increased antiviral activity following addition of homocysteine was observed only with those viruses (i.e. vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis virus) that belong to the activity spectrum of SAH hydrolase inhibitors [Biochem Pharmacol 36: 2567-2575, 1987], and only in those cells in which the SAH hydrolase inhibitors are normally active. The enhancing effect of homocysteine on the cytostatic and antiviral activity of the SAH hydrolase inhibitors could not be attributed to a non-specific increase in the cytotoxicity of the compounds, as their effects on host cell macromolecule (DNA, RNA, protein) synthesis was not markedly altered in the presence of homocysteine. Most likely, homocysteine exerted its potentiating effect on the activity of the SAH hydrolase inhibitors through an increase in the intracellular levels of SAH, which is known to act as a product inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent transmethylation reactions.

Adenosine↗

Differential patterns of intracellular metabolism of 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine, two potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus compounds.

3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T) are potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication in MT-4 and ATH8 cells. They are also inhibitory to the replication of murine retroviruses, i.e. Moloney murine sarcoma virus-induced transformation of C3H cells. In MT-4 cells AZT is readily phosphorylated to its 5'-monophosphate, while the 5'-di- and 5'-triphosphates are generated to a 200-600-fold lower extent than the 5'-monophosphate. D4T is phosphorylated in MT-4 cells to its 5'-monophosphate at a 300-600-fold lower extent than AZT. The phosphorylation of AZT in the thymidine kinase-deficient cell line (Raji/TK-) is severely depressed, while D4T phosphorylation is only slightly diminished in Raji/TK- as compared to Raji/0 cells. D4T has a 10-fold lower affinity for phosphorylation by crude MT-4 cell extracts than AZT (Km, 142 and 14 microM, respectively), and the Vmax for phosphorylation of D4T is only 5% that of AZT. D4T is phosphorylated by MT-4 cell extracts about 180-fold less efficiently than AZT (Vmax/Km, 0.06 for D4T, as compared to 11 for AZT), and this is consistent with the differences found in the amounts of phosphorylated products of D4T and AZT formed in intact MT-4 cells. The 5'-triphosphates of AZT and D4T are equipotent in their inhibitory effects on the reverse transcriptases from human immunodeficiency virus and Moloney murine leukemia virus.

Animals↗

The antiviral activity of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine is enhanced by the 2',3'-dideoxyriboside, the 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyriboside and the 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyriboside of 2,6-diaminopurine.

The 2',3'-dideoxyriboside (ddDAPR), 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyriboside (ddeDAPR) and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyriboside (AzddDAPR) of 2,6-diaminopurine have been previously recognized as potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication. These compounds are also potent inhibitors of adenosine deaminase and inhibit the deamination of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (araA). ddDAPR, ddeDAPR and AzddDAPR markedly potentiate the antiviral activity of araA against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), type 2 (HSV-2) and vaccinia virus (VV). When used at a concentration of 20 micrograms/ml, which had by itself no antiviral effect, ddDAPR, ddeDAPR and AzddDAPR increased the ability of araA to suppress HSV-1, HSV-2 and VV yield by several orders of magnitude. The maximum antiviral effect was obtained with the combinations of ddDAPR or ddeDAPR with araA concentrations of 1 and 10 micrograms/ml.

Dideoxyadenosine↗

Estimation of the lipophilicity of anti-HIV nucleoside analogues by determination of the partition coefficient and retention time on a Lichrospher 60 RP-8 HPLC column.

There is a close linear correlation between the log partition coefficient (Pa) of a series of 2'-deoxyriboside (dR), 2',3'-didehydro-3'-dideoxyriboside (ddeR), 2',3'-dideoxyriboside (ddR), 3'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyriboside (FddR) and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyriboside (AzddR) derivatives of uracil, cytosine, thymine, guanine, adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine and their retention times (Rt) on a Lichrospher 60 RP-8 HPLC column (correlation coefficient r greater than 0.970). Within each class of compounds the following order of increasing lipophilicity was noted: dR less than ddeR less than ddR less than FddR less than AzddR. A straight-forward structure-lipophilicity relationship for both base and sugar modified purine and pyrimidine 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides could be delineated.

Antiviral Agents↗

9-(2-Phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP): a novel agent with anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity in vitro and potent anti-Moloney murine sarcoma virus activity in vivo.

9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP) is a potent inhibitor of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in human T-lymphocyte MT-4 cells (50% effective dose: 2 microM). PMEDAP strongly inhibited Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV)-induced transformation of murine C3H/3T3 embryo fibroblasts and caused a dose-dependent suppression of tumor formation and mortality in newborn mice inoculated with MSV. Even at a dose as low as 0.25 mg/kg/day, PMEDAP effected a significant delay in tumor appearance and an enhancement of the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice. PMEDAP proved fivefold more efficacious as an anti-MSV agent than 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-adenine (PMEA), which has been previously shown to exhibit strong antiretroviral efficacy in vivo. However, PMEDAP was also more toxic, so that its therapeutic index was equivalent to that of PMEA.

Adenine↗

Synthesis and cytostatic and antiviral activities of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-5-alkylcytosine (5-alkylcytidine) cyclic 3',5'-monophosphates.

A series of 5-alkylcytidines and their 5'-monophosphates and cyclic 3',5'-monophosphates have been synthesized and evaluated for antiviral and antitumor activity. The 5-alkyl cyclic nucleotides were not cytostatic (ID50 greater than 200 micrograms/mL) against leukemia L1210 cells and a deoxycytidine kinase-deficient subline thereof. Certain of the corresponding nucleosides and their 5'-monophosphates did show activity within the range of 35-162 micrograms/mL, as did the unsubstituted cytidine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate. No antiviral activity was found for any of the compounds at 400 micrograms/mL. A drug design rationale for utilization of 5-alkylcytidines based on their potential conversion to biologically active 5-alkyl-2'-deoxyuridines is not supported by these experimental findings.

Animals↗

Synthesis and cytostatic activity of geiparvarin analogues.

In an attempt to determine some of the structural features of geiparvarin (1) that account for its cytostatic activity in vitro, a series of geiparvarin analogues (4a-g) modified in the 3(2H)-furanone moiety have been designed and synthesized. The preparation of 4a-g was achieved through a new approach to the 3(2H)-furanone ring based on the elaboration of isoxazole derivatives. Among these synthetic analogues, 4b, the 5-methyl-5-ethyl derivative, proved as active as 1 in inhibiting the proliferation of murine and human tumor cell lines in vitro. As a rule, substitutions at the C5 atom of the 3(2H)-furanone moiety of 1 slightly decreased the cytostatic activity of geiparvarin. Several geiparvarin analogues described in this study (i.e. the 5-methyl-5-ethyl derivative 4b, 3(2H)-furanimine 4c, 5-methyl derivative 4f, and 5-ethyl derivative 4g) showed such activity in vitro and deserve further investigation for their antitumor potentials in vivo.

Animals↗