M J Camarasa

Regiospecific Synthesis and Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Activity of Novel 5-Substituted N-Alkylcarbamoyl and N,N-Dialkyl Carbamoyl 1,2,3-Triazole-TSAO Analogues

Several 5-N-alkyl and 5-N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl substituted analogues of the anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 lead compound[1-[2‘,5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]-5-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)-1,2,3-triazole]-3‘-spiro-5“-(4”-amino-1“,2”-oxathiole-2“,2”-dioxide) have been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of HIV-1 replication. A new regiospecific synthetic procedure is described. The compounds were prepared by cycloaddition of the appropriate glycosylazide to 2-oxo-alkylidentriphenyl-phosphoranes, followed by treatment with primary or secondary amines, to yield, exclusively, 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazole-TSAO analogues. Several 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazole-TSAO derivatives proved to be potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication with higher antiviral selectivity than that of the parent TSAO prototype.

Novel 3'-spiro nucleoside analogues of TSAO-T. Part II. A comparative study based on NMR conformational analysis in solution and theoretical calculations.

The structures of two novel 3′-spiro nucleosides analogues of the potent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor TSAO-m3T, in solution, as derived from NMR spectroscopy are described. In these TSAO analogues the spiro amino oxathioledioxide moiety has been replaced by spiro amino oxazolone or spiro amino oxathiazoledioxide moieties. A comparative study based on theoretical calculations of the hydrophobicity, the solvation free energies and molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) of the three compounds is also described. No significant conformational differences were detected in solution between TSAO-m3T and its analogues that might account for the differencesobserved in their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 RT. The calculated hydrophobicity (log P) values, dipole moments and the electrostatic contributions to the solvation free energies of the three spiro ring systems were also similar. However, the differences found in the calculated MEPs of the spiro systems between TSAO-m3T and its analogues suggest that the different electrostatic surroundings of the 4″-amino group of the spiro moiety in the analogues may be responsible for a detrimental electrostatic interaction of the spiro rings with the Glu-B138 of RT.

TSAO Derivatives, Inhibitors of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Dimerization: Recent Progress

There is an urgent need for the development of new and safer drugs for the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, active against the currently resistant viral strains or directed to novel targets in the viral replicative cycle that may be useful for multiple drug combination. TSAO derivatives are a peculiar group of highly functionalized nucleosides that belong to the so-called nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a key enzyme that plays an essential and multifunctional role in the life cycle of the virus and thus represents a key target for antiviral chemotherapeutic intervention. The dimeric form of the enzyme is absolutely required for all enzymatic activities. Thus, the process of dimerization and subsequent maturation into the p66/p51 heterodimer is essential for a fully functional RT and constitutes a target for therapeutic intervention, however to date such agents have not been developed. TSAO molecules are a peculiar group of non-nucleoside RT inhibitors that exert a unique selectivity for HIV-1 through a specific interaction with the p51 subunit of HIV-1 RT. They interact at the p66/p51 heterodimer interface of the enzyme. They were the first small non peptidic molecules shown to interfere with the dimerization process of the enzyme. This review covers the recent work within this family of compounds aimed at enhancing their interaction with the dimer interface of HIV-1 RT.

Thymidine Phosphorylase is Noncompetitively Inhibited by 5′-O-Trityl-Inosine (KIN59) and Related Compounds

We found that 5′-O-trityl-inosine (KIN59) inhibits recombinant bacterial (E. coli) and human thymidine phosphorylase (TPase) with an IC50 of 44 μM and 67 μM, respectively. In contrast to previously described TPase inhibitors, KIN59 does not compete with thymidine (dThd) at the pyrimidine nucleoside-binding site or with inorganic phosphate (Pi) at the phosphate-binding site of the enzyme. These findings are strongly suggestive for the presence of an allosteric binding site at the enzyme. TPase is identical to the angiogenic protein platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF). As such, PD-ECGF stimulates angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. This angiogenic response was completely inhibited by KIN59. Inosine did not inhibit the enzyme or the angiogenic effect of TPase, confirming that the 5′-O-trityl group in KIN59 is essential for the observed effect. Our observations indicate that allosteric sites in TPase may regulate its biological activity.

TSAO-T analogues bearing amino acids at position N-3 of thymine: synthesis and anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity.

Novel analogues of the anti-HIV-1 lead compound [1-[2‘,5’-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine]-3‘-spiro-5’-(4“-amino-1”,2“-oxathiole-2‘,2’-dioxide) (TSAO-T) bearing different amino acids at position N-3 of thymine were prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of HIV replication. The synthesis of the target compounds was accomplished by coupling of the appropriate TSAO intermediate with a conveniently protected (L) amino acid in the presence of BOP and triethylamine, followed by depro-tection of the amino acid moiety. Several TSAO derivatives, bearing at N-3 position of the thymine base an L-amino acid retaining the free carboxylic acid, acquired activity against HIV-2, in addition to their inhibitory effect on HIV-1.

Novel Series of [ddN]-[TSAO-T] Heterodimers as Potential Bi-Functional Inhibitors of HIV-1 RT. Studies in the Linker and ddN Region

Novel series of [ddN]-(CH2)n-[TSAO-T] heterodimers have been prepared and tested for their anti-HIV-1 and HIV-2 activity. The most active compound of this series was the [d4T]-(CH2)3-[TSAO-T] heterodimer (EC50 = 0.018 +/- 0.03 microM).

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 Activity of [1-[2′,5′-Bis-O-(Tert-Butyldimethylsilyl)-β-L-Ribofuranosyl]Thymine]-3′-Spiro-5″-(4″-Amino-1″,2″-Oxathiole-2″,2″-Dioxide) (L-TSAO-T), the L-enantiomer of the Highly Specific HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor TSAO-T

The L-isomer of the potent HIV-1-RT inhibitor TSAO-T has been stereospecifically synthesized and tested for its ‘in vitro’ antiretroviral activity against HIV-1. Unlike the D-isomer, the L-isomer did not show appreciable inhibition of HIV-1 replication. The cytotoxicity was comparable with the cytotoxicity of the D-enantiomer.

4″-H-TSAO-T, A NOVEL PROTOTYPE IN THE HIV-1 SPECIFIC TSAO FAMILY

The first TSAO derivative that lacks the amino group at the 3′-spiro moiety has been prepared. This molecule retained its HIV-1 specificity (NNRTI characteristic) but did not select for any of the classical NNRTI-specific mutations in the NNRTI binding pocket, including 138-Lys (TSAO resistant strain).

Synthesis of Novel 5″-Substituted Tsao-T Analogues with Anti-Hiv-1 Activity

INTRODUCTION TSAO derivatives are potent and selective HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) inhibitors. Although, structurally, they can be considered as highly functionalized nucleosides, they inhibit their target enzyme (HIV-1 RT) similarly to the so-called Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTI).1-6 The different families of NNRTI, including TSAO, interact with the HIV-1 RT in a highly hydrophobic pocket, close but different from the active site, and several complexes of NNRTIs-HIV-1 RT have been resolved by X-ray crystallography.7-15

Towards New Thymidine Phosphorylase/PD-ECGF Inhibitors Based on the Transition State of the Enzyme Reaction

Abstract Computational studies have been conducted to built a closed form of TPase and to characterize the transition state of the phosphorylisis reaction catalyzed by TPase. The results obtained point to a crucial role of His-85 and the O2 of thymine in the catalysis. This modelled transition state forms the basis for the design of new TPase inhibitors.