title: Structure-activity relationships of pyrimidine nucleosides as antiviral agents for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
abstract: The structure-activity relationships of several pyrimidine nucleosides related to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) were determined in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These studies indicated that nucleosides with a 3'-azido group on the sugar ring exhibited the most potent antiviral activity. Substitution at C-5 with H, CH3, and C2H5 produced derivatives with the highest potency, whereas alkyl functions greater than C2, including bromovinyl substitution reduced the antiviral potency significantly. Changing the 3'-azido function to an amino or iodo group reduced the antiviral activity. Replacement of the uracil ring by cytosine or 5-methylcytosine produced analogues with high potency and low toxicity. Modification of the 5'-hydroxy group markedly reduced the antiviral activity. Similarly, various C-nucleoside analogues related to AZT and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine were inactive and nontoxic. From these systematic studies 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (5a), 3'-azido-5-ethyl-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (5c), and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (7a) and its 5-methyl analogue (7b) were identified as potent and selective anti-HIV-1 agent in primary human lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Schinazi
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Ullas
authors.forename: Z P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides