title: Inhibition of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 replication in vitro by mercurithio analogs of deoxyuridine.
abstract: The in vitro antiviral activity of several 5-mercurithio analogs of 2'-deoxyuridine (dUrd) on the replication of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) were examined. Of those compounds tested, the thioglycerol analog of 5-mercuri-2'-deoxyuridine (HgdUrd) was most effective in inhibiting the replication of HSV-1 in KB cells with a 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of 0.001 micrograms/ml while the glutathione analog of HgdUrd was the most effective in inhibiting the replication of HSV-2 with a ID50 of 0.075 micrograms/ml. Conversely in HeLa TK- cells, the mercaptoguanosine analog of HgdUrd was the most effective compound in inhibiting virus replication with ID50S of 0.098 and 0.001 micrograms/ml for HSV-1 and HSV-2 respectively. These results suggest that these mercurithio analogs of dUrd are as effective as acyclovir in preventing the replication of these herpesviruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003857:Deoxyuridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007624:KB Cells; D009941:Organomercury Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009941:Organomercury Compounds; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; D003857:Deoxyuridine