title: The ProTides Boom.
abstract: The masking of nucleoside phosphate and phosphonate groups by an aryl motif and an amino acid ester, nowadays known as the 'ProTide' technology, has proven to be effective in the discovery of nucleotide therapeutics. Indeed, this technology, which was invented by Chris McGuigan in the early 1990s, has inspired the discovery of two FDA-approved antiviral nucleotide drugs, and many more are currently undergoing (pre)clinical development. The usefulness of this technology in the discovery of nucleotide therapeutics is showcased in this Highlight by discussing the ProTides development and the various ProTides that have reached clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK. y.mehellou@bham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Youcef
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5720-8513
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mehellou
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009711:Nucleotides; D011355:Prodrugs
keywords: nucleosides; nucleotides; phosphorylation; prodrugs; protides