Investigation of the acid-base and electromigration properties of 5-azacytosine derivatives using capillary electrophoresis and density functional theory calculations.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) were applied to the investigation of the acid-base and electromigration properties of important compounds: newly synthesized derivatives of 5-azacytosine - analogs of efficient antiviral drug cidofovir. These compounds exhibit a strong antiviral activity and they are considered as potential new antiviral agents. For their characterization and application, it is necessary to know their acid-base properties, particularly the acidity constants (pKa) of their ionogenic groups (the basic N3 atom of the triazine ring and the acidic phosphonic acid group in the alkyl chain). First, the mixed acidity constants (pKamix) of these ionogenic groups and the ionic mobilities of these compounds were determined by nonlinear regression analysis of the pH dependence of their effective electrophoretic mobilities. Effective mobilities were measured by CE in a series of background electrolytes in a wide pH range (2.0-10.5), at constant ionic strength (25mM) and constant temperature (25°C). Subsequently, the pKamix values were recalculated to thermodynamic pKa values using the Debye-Hückel theory. The thermodynamic pKa value of the NH+ moiety at the N3 atom of the triazine ring was found to be in the range 2.82-3.30, whereas the pKa of the hydrogenphosphonate group reached values from 7.19 to 7.47, depending on the structure of the analyzed compounds. These experimentally determined pKa values were in good agreement with those calculated by quantum mechanical DFT. In addition, DFT calculations revealed that from the four nitrogen atoms in the 5-azacytosine moiety, the N3 atom of the triazine ring is preferentially protonated. Effective charges of analyzed compounds ranged from zero or close-to-zero values at pH 2 to -2 elementary charges at pH≥9. Ionic mobilities were in the range (-16.7 to -19.1)×10-9m2V-1s-1 for univalent anions and in the interval (-26.9 to -30.3)×10-9m2V-1s-1 for divalent anions.

Estimation of apparent binding constant of complexes of selected acyclic nucleoside phosphonates with ß-cyclodextrin by affinity capillary electrophoresis.

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) has been applied to estimation of apparent binding constant of complexes of (R,S)-enantiomers of selected acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) with chiral selector ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) in aqueous alkaline medium. The noncovalent interactions of five pairs of (R,S)-enantiomers of ANPs-based antiviral drugs and their derivatives with ßCD were investigated in the background electrolyte (BGE) composed of 35 or 50 mM sodium tetraborate, pH 10.0, and containing variable concentration (0-25 mM) of ßCD. The apparent binding constants of the complexes of (R,S)-enantiomers of ANPs with ßCD were estimated from the dependence of effective electrophoretic mobilities of (R,S)-enantiomers of ANPs (measured simultaneously by ACE at constant reference temperature 25°C inside the capillary) on the concentration of ßCD in the BGE using different nonlinear and linear calculation methodologies. Nonlinear regression analysis provided more precise and accurate values of the binding constants and a higher correlation coefficient as compared to the regression analysis of the three linearized plots of the effective mobility dependence on ßCD concentration in the BGE. The complexes of (R,S)-enantiomers of ANPs with ßCD have been found to be relatively weak - their apparent binding constants determined by the nonlinear regression analysis were in the range 13.3-46.4 L/mol whereas the values from the linearized plots spanned the interval 12.3-55.2 L/mol.

5-Substituted 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidines and 2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines: synthesis and inhibitory effects on immune-activated nitric oxide production.

A series of 5-substituted 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidines were prepared by a modified condensation of the corresponding monosubstituted malonic acid diesters with guanidine in an excess of sodium ethoxide. The optimized procedure using Vilsmeier-Haack-Arnold reagent, followed by immediate deprotection of the (dimethylamino)methylene protecting groups, has been developed to convert the 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine analogs to novel 5-substituted 2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines in high yields. Pilot screening for biological properties of the prepared compounds was done in mouse peritoneal cells using the in vitro nitric oxide (NO) assay. Irrespective of the substituent at the 5 position, 2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidines inhibited immune-activated NO production. The most effective was 5-fluoro-2-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine with an IC 50 of 2 µM (higher activity than the most potent reference compound) while the IC 50s of other derivatives were within the range of 9-36 µM. The 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine counterparts were devoid of any NO-inhibitory activity. The compounds had no suppressive effects on the viability of cells. The Mechanism of action remains to be elucidated.

A multi-targeted drug candidate with dual anti-HIV and anti-HSV activity.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is often accompanied by infection with other pathogens, in particular herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The resulting coinfection is involved in a vicious circle of mutual facilitations. Therefore, an important task is to develop a compound that is highly potent against both viruses to suppress their transmission and replication. Here, we report on the discovery of such a compound, designated PMEO-DAPym. We compared its properties with those of the structurally related and clinically used acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) tenofovir and adefovir. We demonstrated the potent anti-HIV and -HSV activity of this drug in a diverse set of clinically relevant in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo systems including (i) CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte (CEM) cell cultures, (ii) embryonic lung (HEL) cell cultures, (iii) organotypic epithelial raft cultures of primary human keratinocytes (PHKs), (iv) primary human monocyte/macrophage (M/M) cell cultures, (v) human ex vivo lymphoid tissue, and (vi) athymic nude mice. Upon conversion to its diphosphate metabolite, PMEO-DAPym markedly inhibits both HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and HSV DNA polymerase. However, in striking contrast to tenofovir and adefovir, it also acts as an efficient immunomodulator, inducing ß-chemokines in PBMC cultures, in particular the CCR5 agonists MIP-1ß, MIP-1α and RANTES but not the CXCR4 agonist SDF-1, without the need to be intracellularly metabolized. Such specific ß-chemokine upregulation required new mRNA synthesis. The upregulation of ß-chemokines was shown to be associated with a pronounced downmodulation of the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 which may result in prevention of HIV entry. PMEO-DAPym belongs conceptually to a new class of efficient multitargeted antivirals for concomitant dual-viral (HSV/HIV) infection therapy through inhibition of virus-specific pathways (i.e. the viral polymerases) and HIV transmission prevention through interference with host pathways (i.e. CCR5 receptor down regulation).

The effect of novel [3-fluoro-(2-phosphonoethoxy)propyl]purines on the inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and human hypoxanthine-guanine-(xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferases.

Protozoan parasites from the Plasmodiidae family are the causative agents of malaria. Inhibition of hypoxanthine-guanine-(xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferase (HG(X)PRT) has been suggested as a target for development of new anti-malarial therapeutics. Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) are potent and selective inhibitors of plasmodial HG(X)PRTs. A new series of ANPs, based on the chemical structure and inhibitory activity of three ANPs, 2-(phosphonoethoxy)ethyl with either guanine or hypoxanthine as the base (PEEG and PEEHx) and 3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl with guanine as the base (HPMPG), were prepared. These compounds are stereoisomers of 3-fluoro-(2-phosphonoethoxy)propyl (FPEPs) and 3-fluoro-(2-phosphonomethoxy)propyl (FPMPs) analogues. Both the (R)- and (S)-isomers of these fluorinated derivatives have higher Ki values (by 10- to 1000-fold) for human HGPRT and Plasmodium falciparum HGXPRT than the non-fluorinated ANPs. Possible explanations for these changes in affinity are proposed based on docking studies using the known crystal structures of human HGPRT in complex with PEEG.

Extent of intramolecular π-stacks in aqueous solution in mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes formed by heteroaromatic amines and several 2-aminopurine derivatives of the antivirally active nucleotide analog 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA).

The acidity constants of twofold protonated, antivirally active, acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs), H(2)(PE)(±), where PE(2-)=9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA(2-)), 2-amino-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine (PME2AP(2-)), 2,6-diamino-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine (PMEDAP(2-)), or 2-amino-6-(dimethylamino)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine (PME(2A6DMAP)(2-)), as well as the stability constants of the corresponding ternary Cu(Arm)(H;PE)(+) and Cu(Arm)(PE) complexes, where Arm=2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), are compared. The constants for the systems containing PE(2-)=PMEDAP(2-) and PME(2A6DMAP)(2-) have been determined now by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution at I=0.1M (NaNO(3)) and 25°; the corresponding results for the other ANPs were taken from our earlier work. The basicity of the terminal phosphonate group is very similar for all the ANP(2-) species, whereas the addition of a second amino substituent at the pyrimidine ring of the purine moiety significantly increases the basicity of the N(1) site. Detailed stability-constant comparisons reveal that, in the monoprotonated ternary Cu(Arm)(H;PE)(+) complexes, the proton is at the phosphonate group, that the ether O-atom of the -CH(2)-O-CH(2)-P(O)(2)(-)(OH) residue participates, next to the P(O)(2)(-)(OH) group, to some extent in Cu(Arm)(2+) coordination, and that π-π stacking between the aromatic rings of Cu(Arm)(2+) and the purine moiety is rather important, especially for the H·PMEDAP(-) and H·PME(2A6DMAP)(-) ligands. There are indications that ternary Cu(Arm)(2+)-bridged stacks as well as unbridged (binary) stacks are formed. The ternary Cu(Arm)(PE) complexes are considerably more stable than the corresponding Cu(Arm)(R-PO(3)) species, where R-PO(3)(2-) represents a phosph(on)ate ligand with a group R that is unable to participate in any kind of intramolecular interaction within the complexes. The observed stability enhancements are mainly attributed to intramolecular-stack formation in the Cu(Arm)(PE) complexes and also, to a smaller extent, to the formation of five-membered chelates involving the ether O-atom present in the -CH(2)-O-CH(2)-PO(3)(2-) residue of the PE(2-) species. The quantitative analysis of the intramolecular equilibria involving three structurally different Cu(Arm)(PE) isomers shows that, e.g., ca. 1.5% of the Cu(phen)(PMEDAP) system exist with Cu(phen)(2+) solely coordinated to the phosphonate group, 4.5% as a five-membered chelate involving the ether O-atom of the -CH(2)-O-CH(2)-PO(3)(2-) residue, and 94% with an intramolecular π-π stack between the purine moiety of PMEDAP(2-) and the aromatic rings of phen. Comparison of the various formation degrees of the species formed reveals that, in the Cu(phen)(PE) complexes, intramolecular-stack formation is more pronounced than in the Cu(bpy)(PE) species. Within a given Cu(Arm)(2+) series the stacking intensity increases in the order PME2AP(2-)

Compound instability in dimethyl sulphoxide, case studies with 5-aminopyrimidines and the implications for compound storage and screening.

The oxidation reactions of 5-aminopyrimidine derivatives in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were studied. The DMSO solutions of the studied compounds became deeply coloured within a few hours or days. The oxidation products can undergo further condensation reactions with the starting pyrimidines to yield bipyrimidines and/or pyrimidopteridines. The reaction mechanism of the oxidation-condensation reaction was also supported by reactions of the 5-aminopyrimidines with alloxan (2,4,5,6-tetraoxopyrimidine). DMSO is often used as the solvent in in vitro tests of biological activities, but it is also an oxidising agent and may react with solute molecules and significantly affect the quality of the generated biochemical data.

An enzymatic glycosylation of nucleoside analogues using ß-galactosidase from Escherichia coli.

A new enzymatic method for the synthesis of ß-galactosides of nucleosides and acyclic nucleoside analogues has been developed, using ß-galactosidase from Escherichia coli as a catalyst and lactose as a sugar donor. The method is very rapid, feasible and last but not least inexpensive. Its applicability has been proven for a broad variety of possible substrates with respect to its scaling up for preparative use. Five new compounds from a series of nucleoside and acyclic nucleoside analogues have been prepared on a scale of several hundred milligrams, in all cases revealing very good results of the method concerning the reproducibility of the reaction yields and simplicity of the purification process.

Antiviral effect of HPMPC (Cidofovir®), entrapped in cationic liposomes: in vitro study on MDBK cell and BHV-1 virus.

We designed and synthesised a series of new cationic lipids based on spermine linked to various hydrophobic anchors. These lipids could be potentially useful for the preparation of stable cationic liposomes intended for the construction of drug targeting systems applicable in the field of anticancer/antiviral therapy, vaccine carriers, and vectors for the gene therapy. Low in vitro toxicity was found for these compounds, especially for LD1, in several cell lines. The delivery of both a fluorescence marker (calcein) and antiviral drugs into cells has been achieved owing to a large extent of internalization of cationic liposomes (labelled by Lyssamine-Rhodamine PE or fluorescein-PE) as demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy and quantified by flow cytometry. The bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1) virus infection in vitro model using MDBK cells was employed to study the effect of the established antiviral drug HPMPC (Cidofovir®) developed by Prof. A. Holý. Inhibition of BHV-1 virus replication was studied by quantitative RT-PCR and confirmed by both Hoffman modulation contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We found that in vitro antiviral activity of HPMPC was significantly improved by formulation in cationic liposomes, which decreased the viral replication by about 2 orders of magnitude.

Synthesis of purine N9-[2-hydroxy-3-O-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] derivatives and their side-chain modified analogs as potential antimalarial agents.

6-Oxopurine acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) have been shown to be potent inhibitors of hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGXPRT), a key enzyme of the purine salvage pathway in human malarial parasites. These compounds also exhibit antimalarial activity against parasites grown in culture. Here, a new series of ANPs, hypoxanthine and guanine 9-[2-hydroxy-3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl] derivatives with different chemical substitutions in the 2'-position of the aliphatic chain were prepared and tested as inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) HGXPRT, Plasmodium vivax (Pv) HGPRT and human HGPRT. The attachment of an hydroxyl group to this position and the movement of the oxygen by one atom distal from N(9) in the purine ring compared with 2-(phosphonoethoxy)ethyl hypoxanthine (PEEHx) and 2-(phosphonoethoxy)ethyl guanine (PEEG) changes the affinity and selectivity for human HGPRT, PfHGXPRT and PvHGPRT. This is attributed to the differences in the three-dimensional structure of these inhibitors which affects their mode of binding. A novel observation is that these molecules are not always strictly competitive with 5-phospho-α-d-ribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. 9-[2-Hydroxy-3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]hypoxanthine (iso-HPMP-Hx) is a very weak inhibitor of human HGPRT but remains a good inhibitor of both the parasite enzymes with K(i) values of 2µM and 5µM for PfHGXPRT and PvHGPRT, respectively. The addition of pyrophosphate to the assay decreased the K(i) values for the parasite enzymes by sixfold. This suggests that the covalent attachment of a second group to the ANPs mimicking pyrophosphate and occupying its binding pocket could increase the affinity for these enzymes.

Involvement of MAP kinases in the cytotoxicity of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates.

BACKGROUND: 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl] guanine (PMEG) is a nucleotide analogue with anticancer activity. Here we investigate the role of ERK, p38, JNK and AKT kinases in PMEG-induced apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CCRF-CEM and HL-60 leukemia cells were used to assess MAPK mRNA and protein expression in PMEG-treated cells. MAPK activation was measured using phospho-specific antibodies. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. RESULTS: Up-regulation of p38ß, γ and δ mRNA were observed following PMEG treatment of CCRF-CEM cells, however, the total protein expression remained unchanged. Neither PMEG nor its analogue 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy) ethyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP) induced p38 kinase phosphorylation in CCRF-CEM cells, whereas increased p38 phosphorylation was observed in HL-60 cells. The ERK pathway was also activated by these compounds. Pretreatment of the cells with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 diminished drug-induced apoptosis whereas inhibition of ERK, JNK or AKT pathways did not. [corrected]. CONCLUSION: PMEG- and PMEDAP-induced. [corrected].

Differential effects of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates on nitric oxide and cytokines in rat hepatocytes and macrophages.

Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANP) are virostatics effective against viruses like hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus. Our previous reports indicated immunomodulatory activities of ANP in mouse and human innate immune cells. Recently, evidence has increased that hepatocytes may play an active role in immune regulation of the liver homeostasis or injury. In this study we investigated possible immunomodulatory effects of ANP on rat hepatocytes and macrophages. Nitric oxide (NO) production and secretion of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-18, IFN-γ, TNF-α and GM-CSF) were analyzed under in vitro conditions. Test compounds included: 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA; adefovir); 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]-2,6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP); (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine [(R)-PMPA; tenofovir] and [(S)-PMPA]; 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]-2,6-diaminopurine [(R)-PMPDAP] and [(S)-PMPDAP]. The group of test compounds also included their N(6)-substituted derivatives. Some of ANP which are able to induce NO production and cytokine secretion in cultured macrophages possess the same immunobiological activity in isolated hepatocytes. The extent of responses is in range of LPS/IFN-γ stimulation in both types of cells. The effects of active ANP on NO expression and cytokine secretion are dose- and time-dependent. Interestingly, the spectrum of detected cytokines induced by ANP is broader in hepatocytes. The results also confirm immunomodulatory effects of some ANP on rodent macrophages. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time immunobiological reactivity of primary rat hepatocytes induced by exogenous ANP compounds. The potential of hepatocytes to synthesize cytokines can contribute to better understanding of liver immune function and can serve for pharmacological intervention in liver diseases.

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis and biological properties of polysubstituted pyrimidinyl- and 1,3,5-triazinylphosphonic acids.

Polysubstituted pyrimidinylphosphonic and 1,3,5-triazinylphosphonic acids with potential biological properties were prepared in high yields by the microwave-assisted Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction of trialkyl phosphite with the corresponding halopyrimidines and halo-1,3,5-triazines, respectively, followed by the standard deprotection of the phosphonate group using TMSBr in acetonitrile. 4,6-Diamino-5-chloropyrimidin-2-ylphosphonic acid (7a) was found to exhibit a weak to moderate anti-influenza activity (28-50 µM) and may represent a novel hit for further SAR studies and antiviral improvement.

Determination of the antioxidative activity of substituted 5-aminopyrimidines.

The aminopyrimidine structural motif can be found in diverse biologically active compounds. This study aimed to describe the antioxidant activity of a series of di- and tri-substituted 5-aminopyrimidines using in vitro (TEAC, LPO) and cell-based assays. 2,4,6-trisubstituted 5-aminopyrimidines displayed the highest activity in the TEAC and LPO assays whereas compounds with protected 5-aminogroup were active in the cellular assay. This is most likely because of their better membrane permeability and intracellular metabolic activation. In summary, we have identified the antioxidant activity of a series of substituted 5-aminopyrimidines and their potential prodrugs which may have implications in the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Synthesis of 9-phosphonoalkyl and 9-phosphonoalkoxyalkyl purines: evaluation of their ability to act as inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and human hypoxanthine-guanine-(xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferases.

The purine salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine-guanine-(xanthine) phosphoribosyltransferase [HG(X)PRT], catalyses the synthesis of the purine nucleoside monophosphates, IMP, GMP or XMP essential for DNA/RNA production. In protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, this is the only route available for their synthesis as they lack the de novo pathway which is present in human cells. Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs), analogs of the purine nucleoside monophosphates, have been found to inhibit Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) HGXPRT and Plasmodium vivax (Pv) HGPRT with K(i) values as low as 100 nM. They arrest parasitemia in cell based assays with IC(50) values of the order of 1-10 µM. ANPs with phosphonoalkyl and phosphonoalkoxyalkyl moieties linking the purine base and phosphonate group were designed and synthesised to evaluate the influence of this linker on the potency and/or selectivity of the ANPs for the human and malarial enzymes. This data shows that variability in the linker, as well as the positioning of the oxygen in this linker, influences binding. The human enzyme binds the ANPs with K(i) values of 0.5 µM when the number of atoms in the linker was 5 or 6 atoms. However, the parasite enzymes have little affinity for such long chains unless oxygen is included in the three-position. In comparison, all three enzymes have little affinity for ANPs where the number of atoms linking the base and the phosphonate group is of the order of 2-3 atoms. The chemical nature of the purine base also effects the K(i) values. This data shows that both the linker and the purine base play an important role in the binding of the ANPs to these three enzymes.

Antiviral activity of tenofovir against Cauliflower mosaic virus and its metabolism in Brassica pekinensis plants.

The antiviral effect of the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate tenofovir (R)-PMPA on double-stranded DNA Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) in Brassica pekinensis plants grown in vitro on liquid medium was evaluated. Double antibody sandwich ELISA and PCR were used for relative quantification of viral protein and detecting nucleic acid in plants. (R)-PMPA at concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/l significantly reduced CaMV titers in plants within 6-9 weeks to levels detectable neither by ELISA nor by PCR. Virus-free plants were obtained after 3-month cultivation of meristem tips on semisolid medium containing 50 mg/l (R)-PMPA and their regeneration to whole plants in the greenhouse. Studying the metabolism of (R)-PMPA in B. pekinensis revealed that mono- and diphosphate, structural analogs of NDP and/or NTP, are the only metabolites formed. The data indicate very low substrate activity of the enzymes toward (R)-PMPA as substrate. The extent of phosphorylation in the plant's leaves represents only 4.5% of applied labeled (R)-PMPA. In roots, we detected no radioactive peaks of phosphorylated metabolites of (R)-PMPAp or (R)-PMPApp.

Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates with a branched 2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl chain: efficient synthesis and antiviral activity.

Series of novel acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) with various nucleobases and 2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl (PEE) chain bearing various substituents in ß-position to the phosphonate moiety were prepared. The influence of structural alternations on antiviral activity was studied. Several derivatives exhibit antiviral activity against HIV and vaccinia virus (middle micromolar range), HSV-1 and HSV-2 (lower micromolar range) and VZV and CMV (nanomolar range), although the parent unbranched PEE-ANPs are inactive. Adenine as a nucleobase and the methyl group attached to the PEE chain proved to be a prerequisite to afford pronounced antiviral activity.

Enhanced topical and transdermal delivery of antineoplastic and antiviral acyclic nucleoside phosphonate cPr-PMEDAP.

PURPOSE: Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates possess unique antiviral and antineoplastic activities; however, their polar phosphonate moiety is associated with low ability to cross biological membranes. We explored the potential of transdermal and topical delivery of 2,6-diaminopurine derivative cPr-PMEDAP. METHODS: In vitro diffusion of cPr-PMEDAP was investigated using formulations at different pH and concentration and with permeation enhancer through porcine and human skin. RESULTS: Ability of 0.1-5% cPr-PMEDAP to cross human skin barrier was very low with flux values ~40 ng/cm(2)/h, the majority of compound found in the stratum corneum. The highest permeation rates were found at pH 6; increased donor concentration had no influence. The permeation enhancer dodecyl 6-dimethylaminohexanoate (DDAK, 1%) increased flux of cPr-PMEDAP (up to 61 times) and its concentration in nucleated epidermis (up to ~0.5 mg of cPr-PMEDAP/g of the tissue). No deamination of cPr-PMEDAP into PMEG occurred during permeation studies, but N-dealkylation into PMEDAP mediated by skin microflora was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal or topical application of cPr-PMEDAP enabled by the permeation enhancer DDAK may provide an attractive alternative route of administration of this potent antitumor and antiviral compound.

A novel and efficient one-pot synthesis of symmetrical diamide (bis-amidate) prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates and evaluation of their biological activities.

A novel and efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of diamide (bis-amidate) prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, starting from free phosphonic acids or phosphonate diesters is reported. The approach from phosphonate diesters via their bis(trimethylsilyl) esters is highly convenient, eliminates isolation and tedious purification of the phosphonic acids, and affords the corresponding bis-amidates in excellent yields (83-98%) and purity. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of the potent anticancer agent GS-9219, and symmetrical bis-amidates of other biologically active phosphonic acids. Anti-HIV, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities of the compounds are discussed including the bis-amidate prodrugs 14 and 17 that exhibited anti-HIV activity at submicromolar concentrations with minimal cytotoxicity.

6-oxopurine phosphoribosyltransferase: a target for the development of antimalarial drugs.

Malaria remains the most serious parasitic diseases affecting humans in the world today, resulting in 1-2 million fatalities each year. Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium vivax (Pv) are the predominant causative agents. Both are responsible for widespread mortality and morbidity and are a serious socio-economic burden, especially for countries in the developing world. One of the most important defences against malaria has been the use of chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g. chloroquine, artemisinins, pyrimethamine) but these have mainly been found by serendipity. Their mechanisms was not understood at the time of their discovery and, even today, are still not unequivocal. For many of these compounds, the parasite is now resistant and, hence, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic drugs directed to validated targets. One metabolic pathway crucial for the survival and replication and survival of the parasite is the synthesis of the purine nucleoside monophosphates essential for the production of DNA/RNA molecules. A key enzyme in this pathway is the 6-oxopurine phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase). The focus of this review is on the identification and characterization of inhibitors of the enzymes from both Pf and Pv as antimalarial drug leads. The acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) appear to be excellent candidates because they are good inhibitors of the two Plasmodium enzymes, can be selective compared to the human enzyme, can arrest parasitemia in cell based assays, have low cytotoxicity to the human host cell and, because of their stable carbon-phosphorous bond, are stable within the cell.