Antiviral activity of 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-5-fluorocytidine (beta-L-FddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-cytidine (beta-L-ddC) against hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in vitro

2',3'-Dideoxy-beta-L-5-fluorocytidine (beta-L-FddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-cytidine (beta-L-ddC), two nucleosides with "unnatural L-configuration," have been synthesized and found to have potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro with very little toxicity. At 1 microM, both beta-L-ddC and beta-L-FddC inhibited the growth of HBV by more than 90%, while at the same concentration the D-configuration counterparts, 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-cytidine (ddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-5-fluorocytidine (beta-D-FddC), did not show antiviral activity against HBV. The order of anti-HIV-1 activity was beta-L-FddC > ddC; beta-D-FddC > beta-L-ddC. The dose-limiting toxicity of ddC is neuropathy which is believed to be caused by the inhibition of the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA. ddC severely inhibited the mitochondrial DNA synthesis of CEM cells yielding an IC50 value of 0.022 microM. Conversely, both beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC did not demonstrate any inhibition against mitochondrial DNA synthesis up to 100 microM concentration.

Syntheses and biological evaluations of 3'-deoxy-3'-C-branched-chain-substituted nucleosides

Various 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)-, 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(fluoromethyl)-, 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(azidomethyl)-, and 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(aminomethyl)-substituted nucleosides (total 12 compounds) have been synthesized and evaluated against L1210, P388, S-180, and CCRF-CEM cells and HSV-1, HSV-2, and HIV-1 in culture. Only 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)thymidine (36) was found to show significant anticancer activity against L1210, P388, S-180, and CCRF-CEM cells with ED50 values of 50, 5, 10, and 1 microM, respectively. None of these compounds demonstrated significant antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-2, or HIV-1. These compounds were also evaluated against thymidine kinases derived from HSV-I (strain KOS), HSV-2 (strain 333), and mammalian (K562) cells. The thymidine kinase (HSV-1 strain KOS) was inhibited significantly by both 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)- and 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(fluoromethyl)thymidine.

A single conservative amino acid substitution in the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus-1 confers resistance to (+)-(5S)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-5-methyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)imidazo[4,5, 1- jk][1,4]benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thione (TIBO R82150)

Tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one and -thione (TIBO) derivatives (e.g., R82150) are potent, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-specific, inhibitors of reverse transcriptase (RT) that are undergoing initial evaluation in clinical trials. Because HIV-1 has become resistant to other RT inhibitors, we investigated the potential for viral resistance to TIBO R82150 by serial in vitro passage of HIV-1IIIB in the presence of drug. R82150-resistant variants (> 100-fold increase in IC50) dominated the replicating virus population after only three or four passages. R82150-resistant virus was partially cross-resistant to other HIV-1-specific RT inhibitors, including nevirapine (approximately 10-fold increase in IC50) and 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio)thymine (approximately 3.5-fold increase) but remained susceptible to 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides and phosphonoformate. DNA sequencing of cloned resistant RT, combined with site-specific mutational analyses and construction of mutant recombinant proviruses, demonstrated that a single, conservative amino acid substitution (Leu100 to Ile) in HIV-1 RT is responsible for high level R82150 resistance and partial nevirapine resistance. These studies indicate that a subtle mutation in HIV-1 RT can dramatically affect viral susceptibility to an HIV-1-specific RT inhibitor. The clinical efficacy of TIBO derivatives and other HIV-1-specific RT inhibitors may be limited by the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains.

In vitro selection and molecular characterization of human immunodeficiency virus-1 resistant to non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase

Several newly discovered potent and selective non-nucleoside inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) are undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. We studied the potential for development of viral resistance to one of the prototype compounds, BI-RG-587, a dipyridodiazepinone derivative. Human immunodeficiency virus-1 resistant to BI-RG-587 emerged after only one cycle of in vitro infection in the presence of the drug. Resistant virus was cross-resistant to the non-nucleoside tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thione derivative R82150 but remained susceptible to 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides and phosphonoformate. Both native (virion-associated) and recombinant RT derived from resistant virus were insensitive to BI-RG-587 and R82150. Nucleotide sequence analysis of multiple drug-resistant and -sensitive recombinant RT clones identified a single predicted amino acid change common to all resistant clones (tyrosine-181----cysteine). These studies suggest that the viral resistance to non-nucleoside RT inhibitors may develop in vivo. This possibility should be carefully monitored in clinical trials of these compounds.

Suppression of ocular herpes recurrences by a thymidine kinase inhibitor in squirrel monkeys

5'-Ethynylthymidine, an inhibitor of viral thymidine kinase (TK), was given intraperitoneally to squirrel monkeys previously infected by the ocular route with Rodanus strain herpes simplex virus. Spontaneous ocular recurrences were reduced during therapy, compared to saline-treated controls. This is the first in vivo demonstration that a viral TK inhibitor can reduce recurrences of HSV-1. Similar benefit would be expected for HSV-2 and perhaps VZV (varicella zoster virus).

Effect of phosphorothioate homo-oligodeoxynucleotides on herpes simplex virus type 2-induced DNA polymerase

Effects of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides of different chain length and base composition on herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 (strain 333)-induced DNA polymerase have been examined in vitro. The anti-HSV-2 DNA polymerase activity was related to the base composition of the analogs, with the order of potency: deoxycytidine greater than thymidine greater than deoxyadenosine, for compounds with equal chain length. The potency was also related to oligomer chain length, since it was observed that the longer the chain length, the more potent the inhibition exerted. Among all the compounds tested, the phosphorothioate oligodeoxycytidine 28-mer (S-(dC)28) was the most potent inhibitor of HSV-2-induced DNA polymerase. This inhibition was competitive with an activated DNA template with a Ki value of 7 nM. It was also a competitive inhibitor of the DNA polymerase-associated exonuclease activity with a Ki value of 5 nM. In contrast, this compound showed less inhibition of human DNA polymerase alpha, beta, and gamma, as well as HSV-1 (strain KOS) and Epstein-Barr virus-induced DNA polymerase. The possibility that S-oligomers can serve as primers for DNA elongation was also investigated. Poly(dG).S-(dC)28 and poly(dA).S-(T)28 are poor substrates for DNA elongation catalyzed by HSV-2 DNA polymerase. In summary, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides could be anti-template inhibitors of HSV DNA polymerase. This information may lead to the development of a new class of selective anti-HSV agents.

Anti-herpes simplex virus activity of 5-substituted 2-pyrimidinone nucleosides

Several 5-substituted 2-pyrimidinone 2'-deoxyribonucleoside (PdR) analogs were examined for their anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) activity in cell culture. The order of potency of their antiviral activities against HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 was iodo PdR approximately ethynyl PdR approximately propynyl PdR. The antiviral action of iodo PdR is dependent on the ability of HSV to induce virus-specified thymidine kinase in infected cells. Several HSV-1 variants with altered thymidine kinase changed their sensitivity to iodo PdR, whereas HSV-1 variants with altered DNA polymerase were as sensitive as the parental virus to iodo PdR. Continuous presence of iodo PdR for more than one virus replication cycle was required for optimal antiviral activity. Iodo PdR (100 microM) had no activity against Epstein-Barr virus DNA replication in P3HR-1 cells. With an oral, an intraperitoneal, or a subcutaneous route of injection, iodo PdR administered twice a day for 2.5 days could prevent the death of mice infected with HSV-2. This in vivo activity is unlikely to be related to the potential conversion of iodo PdR to iododeoxyuridine, since iodo PdR is not a substrate of xanthine oxidase.

Association of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen diffuse component and virus-specified DNA polymerase activity

The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early antigen diffuse component (EA-D) and its relationship with EBV DNA polymerase in EBV genome-carrying cells are unclear, EBV-specified DNA polymerase was purified in a sequential manner from Raji cells treated with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate and n-butyrate by phosphocellulose, DEAE-cellulose, double-stranded DNA-cellulose, and blue Sepharose column chromatography. Four polypeptides with molecular masses of 110,000, 100,000, 55,000, and 49,000 daltons were found to be associated with EBV-specified DNA polymerase activity. A monoclonal antibody which could neutralize the EBV DNA polymerase activity was prepared and found to recognize 55,000- and 49,000-dalton polypeptides. An EA-D monoclonal antibody, R3 (G. R. Pearson, V. Vorman, B. Chase, T. Sculley, M. Hummel, and E. Kieff, J. Virol. 47:183-201, 1983), was also able to recognize these same two polypeptides associated with EBV DNA polymerase activity. It was concluded that EBV EA-D polypeptides, as identified by R3 monoclonal antibody, are critical components of EBV DNA polymerase.

Demonstration of viral thymidine kinase inhibitor and its effect on deoxynucleotide metabolism in cells infected with herpes simplex virus

The thymidine analog 5'-ethynylthymidine was a potent inhibitor of herpes simplex virus type 1 (strain KOS)-induced thymidine kinase with a Ki value of 0.09 microM. 5'-Ethynylthymidine was less inhibitory against herpes simplex virus type 2 (strain 333)-induced thymidine kinase with a Ki of 0.38 microM and showed no inhibition against human cytosolic thymidine kinase under the conditions tested. The compound was effective against the altered thymidine kinase induced by acyclovir- and bromovinyldeoxyuridine-resistant virus variants. At 100 microM 5'-ethynylthymidine, the cellular pool size of dTTP in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells was 5% that of infected cells receiving no drug treatment, while there was no significant effect on the pool sizes of dATP, dGTP, and dCTP. There was a positive correlation between dTTP pools and the intracellular thymidine kinase activity of herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells. When tested alone, 5'-ethynylthymidine exhibited no antiviral activity, but it antagonized the antiviral efficacy of five compounds which require viral thymidine kinase for their action.

Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase. General properties and its interactions with nucleoside triphosphate analogs

Using affinity purified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase the reaction assay conditions were determined. The optimum incorporation of dTMP into the (rA)n(dT)10 template with HIV reverse transcriptase required 6 mM MgCl2 and 80 mM KCl. The template specificity of HIV reverse transcriptase is quite different from those of the human gamma-polymerase-associated reverse transcriptase or avian virus reverse transcriptase. The preferential inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase as compared to human gamma-reverse transcriptase was observed with several nucleoside analog triphosphates. The Ki values for thymidine triphosphate analogs with HIV reverse transcriptase ranged from 5 to 13 nM with decreasing effectiveness for 3'-fluoro greater than 3'-amino greater than 2',3'-dideoxy greater than 3'-azido groups. This study provides information on the structure activity relationships of the triphosphate analogs inhibitory effects on HIV reverse transcriptase versus human gamma-polymerase-associated reverse transcriptase, and the possible mechanisms of action of 3' azido thymidine and the 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides, and also identifies other nucleoside analogs for possible development as inhibitors of HIV.

Inhibitory action of 10-deazaaminopterins and their polyglutamates on human thymidylate synthase

The action of 10-deazaaminopterin, its 10-alkyl derivatives, and their polyglutamates against thymidylate synthase (TMPS) from human acute myeloblastic leukemia was examined. Comparison of aminopterin with methotrexate showed that the methylation of the N10-position (methotrexate) increased the inhibitory effect of aminopterin on TMPS. In contrast, alkylation of the 10-position of 10-deazaaminopterin decreased inhibition of TMPS, and the 50% inhibitory concentration values were progressively higher, in the order 10,10-dimethyl-, 10-methyl-, and 10-ethyl-derivatives. The addition of gamma-glutamyl moieties to both 10-deazaaminopterin, and one of its alkylated analogs, 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin, enhanced inhibition. The maximum inhibition was achieved with the addition of three glutamyl moieties to 10-deazaaminopterin and two glutamyl moieties to 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin, respectively. Thus, 10-deazaaminopterin-tetraglutamate was 138-fold and 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin-triglutamate was greater than 51-fold more active than their respective parental compound. The compounds 10-deazaaminopterin and its polyglutamates, 10-methyl- and 10,10-dimethyl-analogs, inhibited TMPS in a noncompetitive fashion with respect to 5,10-methylene-tetrahydropteroylglutamate. Ki values for the monoglutamates were 220 microM, 310 microM, and 225 microM, respectively. In contrast, 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin and its polyglutamates inhibited TMPS in a competitive fashion with a Ki value of 410 microM for the monoglutamate. With 5,10-methylene-tetrahydropteroylpentaglutamate as a substrate, 10-deazaaminopterin and its polyglutamates behaved as mixed type inhibitors, and 10-ethyl-10-deazaaminopterin, monoglutamate and diglutamate, behaved as noncompetitive inhibitors, whereas its pentaglutamate behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor. These results suggest that the addition of gamma-glutamyl moieties to the substrate also caused the change in the mode of inhibitory action of these compounds. These findings also show that both replacement of the N10-position of the 4-aminopteroyl structure with a methylene group and its alkylation caused interesting and unexpected changes in the structure-activity relationships and the mode of action for these 4-aminopteroyl antifolates as inhibitors of TMPS, which may be therapeutically relevant.

Activity of the new antifolate N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolate and its polyglutamates against human dihydrofolate reductase, human thymidylate synthetase, and KB cells containing different levels of dihydrofolate reductase

The action of N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolate (PDDF) and its gamma-polyglutamyl analogues against human thymidylate synthetase and dihydrofolate reductase was examined. PDDF inhibited thymidylate synthetase in a noncompetitive fashion with respect to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and dihydrofolate reductase in a competitive fashion with respect to dihydrofolate. Ki values were estimated to be 20 and 250 nM, respectively. The addition of glutamyl moieties through gamma-linkage enhanced the inhibitory activity of PDDF against thymidylate synthetase without significant effect on dihydrofolate reductase. PDDF inhibited human KB cell growth, and its potency was found to be influenced less than that of methotrexate by the amount of cellular dihydrofolate reductase.

Effects of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine, a new antiherpesvirus compound, on synthesis of macromolecules in herpes simplex virus-infected cells

We examined the effect of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG) on viral DNA, RNA, protein, and enzyme synthesis in HeLa cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. DHPG inhibited virus DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent fashion. This inhibition was not due to the lack of deoxynucleoside triphosphates which are required for DNA synthesis. This compound has no apparent effect on early and late viral RNA synthesis, viral protein synthesis, or viral thymidine kinase, DNA polymerase, and DNase induction in virus-infected cells.

Differential binding affinities of sugar-modified derivatives of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine for herpes simplex virus-induced and human cellular deoxythymidine kinases

The affinity of a large number of sugar-modified derivatives of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) was determined towards deoxythymidine (dThd) kinases (TK) of various origin, i.e. human cytosol and mitochondrial TK, as well as herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 TK. Substitution at the 3'- and 5'-position had differential effects on the interaction of BVDU with TK from different sources. The binding affinity of the nucleoside analogs for these different TKs was also influenced by the nature of the 5-substituent (2-bromovinyl vs 2- chlorovinyl ). The 5'-azido and 5'-amino derivatives of BVDU showed affinity for HSV-1 TK only and may, therefore, be useful to differentiate HSV-1 TK from all other TKs . There was no stringent correlation between the antiviral effects of the compounds and their binding constants for viral TK, suggesting that phosphorylation by viral TK is an essential but not sufficient factor in determining the antiviral activity of these analogs.

Metabolism of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine, a new anti-herpes virus compound, in herpes simplex virus-infected cells

The metabolism of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine (DHPG), one of the most promising new anti-herpes virus compounds, in HeLa cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 was compared with that in the uninfected HeLa cells. In the virus-infected cells, the uptake of DHPG was enhanced and the major metabolites were found to be the mono-, di-, and triphosphate derivatives. The formation of these metabolites was dependent on the extracellular concentration of DHPG (0.5 to 5.0 microM). Virus-induced thymidine kinase was capable of phosphorylating DHPG to its monophosphate which could be further phosphorylated to the di- and triphosphate derivatives by the host cellular enzymes. Incorporation of the DHPG into DNA was observed in virus-infected cells. In contrast with 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine, DHPG seemed not to serve as a chain terminator, but to be incorporated internally into DNA strands.

Unique spectrum of activity of 9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]-guanine against herpesviruses in vitro and its mode of action against herpes simplex virus type 1

A guanosine analog, 9-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]guanine (DHPG), was found to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus replication by greater than 50% at concentrations that do not inhibit cell growth in culture. The potency of the drug against all of these viruses is greater than that of 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]guanine (acyclovir). DHPG was active against HSV-1 growth during the early phase of virus replication and had no activity when added at a later time after infection. Its antiviral activity was irreversible. Thymidine partially neutralized its action. The anti-HSV-1 activity of DHPG was dependent on the induction and the properties of virus-induced thymidine kinase. Virus variants that induced altered virus thymidine kinase and became resistant to acyclovir were still as sensitive to DHPG as the parental virus. DHPG is active against five different HSV variants with induced altered DNA polymerase and resistance to acyclovir.

Virus-induced thymidine kinases as markers for typing herpes simplex viruses and for drug sensitivity assays

A rapid, reproducible and objective new method for typing herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) based on the effects of virus-induced thymidine kinases on various antiviral drugs has been developed. When several laboratory strains and clinical isolates were typed by this method and compared to the results obtained by the immunofluorescence antibody typing method, agreement was found for all the viruses. The new technique has the added advantage of determining the sensitivity of HSV strains to antiviral drugs.