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Cell surface mucins configure the cell surface by presenting extended protein backbones that are heavily O-glycosylated. The glycopeptide structures establish physicochemical properties at the cell surface that enable and block the formation of biologically important molecular complexes. Some mucins, such as MUC1, associate with receptor tyrosine kinases and other cell surface receptors, and engage in signal transduction in order to communicate information regarding conditions at the cell surface to the nucleus. In that context, the MUC1 cytoplasmic tail (MUC1CT) receives phosphorylation signals from receptor tyrosine kinases and serine/threonine kinases, which enables its association with different signaling complexes that conduct these signals to the nucleus and perhaps other subcellular organelles. We have detected the MUC1CT at promoters of over 500 genes, in association with several different transcription factors, and have shown that promoter occupancy can vary under different growth factor conditions. However, the full biochemical nature of the nuclear forms of MUC1 and its function at these promoter regions remain undefined. I will present evidence that nuclear forms of the MUC1CT include extracellular and cytoplasmic tail domains. In addition, I will discuss evidence for a hypothesis that the MUC1CT possesses a novel catalytic function that enables remodeling of the transcription factor occupancy of promoters, and thereby engages in regulation of gene expression.

Most non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors are specific for HIV-1 RT and demonstrate minimal inhibition of HIV-2 RT. However, we report that members of the phenylethylthiazolylthiourea (PETT) series of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors showing high potency against HIV-1 RT have varying abilities to inhibit HIV-2 RT. Thus, PETT-1 inhibits HIV-1 RT with an IC(50) of 6 nM but shows only weak inhibition of HIV-2 RT, whereas PETT-2 retains similar potency against HIV-1 RT (IC(50) of 5 nM) and also inhibits HIV-2 RT (IC(50) of 2.2 microM). X-ray crystallographic structure determinations of PETT-1 and PETT-2 in complexes with HIV-1 RT reveal the compounds bind in an overall similar conformation albeit with some differences in their interactions with the protein. To investigate whether PETT-2 could be acting at a different site on HIV-2 RT (e.g. the dNTP or template primer binding site), we compared modes of inhibition for PETT-2 against HIV-1 and HIV-2 RT. PETT-2 was a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to the dGTP substrate for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RTs. PETT-2 was also a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to a poly(rC).(dG) template primer for HIV-2 RT. These results are consistent with PETT-2 binding in corresponding pockets in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RT with amino acid sequence differences in HIV-2 RT affecting the binding of PETT-2 compared with PETT-1.

We report the development of a new group of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). One of the most active congeners of this series of 1,1,3-trioxo-2H,4H-thieno[3,4-e] [1,2,4]thiadiazine (TTD) derivatives, i.e., 2-(3-fluorobenzyl)-4-cyanomethylen-l,1,3-trioxo-2H,4H- thieno [3,4-e] [1,2,4] thiadiazine) (QM96639) was found to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 [HIV-1 (IIIB)] replication in MT-4 cells at a concentration of 0.09 microM. This compound was toxic for the host cells only at a 1,400-fold higher concentration. The TTD derivatives proved effective against a variety of HIV-1 strains, including those that are resistant to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), but not against HIV-2 (ROD) or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV/ MAC251). HIV-1 strains containing the L100I, K103N, V106A, E138K, Y181C, or Y188H mutations in their reverse transcriptase (RT) displayed reduced sensitivity to the compounds. Their cross-resistance patterns correlated with that of nevirapine. 2-Benzyl-4-cyanomethylen-1,1,3-trioxo-2H,4H-thieno[3,4-e] [1,2,4]thiadiazine (QM96521) enhanced the anti-HIV-1 activity of AZT and didanosine in a subsynergistic manner. HIV-1-resistant virus containing the V179D mutation in the RT was selected after approximately six passages of HIV-1 (IIIB) in CEM cells in the presence of different concentrations of QM96521. From structure-activity relationship analysis of a wide variety of TTD derivatives, a number of restrictions appeared as to the chemical modifications that were compatible with anti-HIV activity. Modelling studies suggest that in contrast to most other NNRTIs, but akin to nevirapine, QM96521 does not act as a hydrogen bond donor in the RT-drug complex.

Eight new antimony(III) iodide complexes of the heterocyclic thioamides, 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI), 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBZIM), 5-ethoxy-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (EtMBZIM), 2-mercaptothiazolidine (MTZD), 3-methyl-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (NMeMBZT), 2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (tHPMT), 2-mercaptopyridine (PYT), and 2-mercaptopyrimidine (PMT) of formulas {[SbI(3)(MMI)(2)].MeOH} (1), [SbI(3)(MBZIM)(2)] (2), {[SbI(2)(mu(2)-I)(EtMBZIM)(2)](2).H(2)O} (3), [SbI(3)(MTZD)] (4), [(NMeMBZT)SbI(2)(mu(2)-I)(2)(mu(2)-S-NMeMBZT)SbI(2) (NMeMBZT)] (5), {[SbI(3)(tHPMT)(3)].MeOH} (6), [SbI(3)(PYT)] (7), and [SbI(3)(PMT)(2)] (8), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, FT-Raman spectroscopy, and TG-DTA analysis. The crystal structures of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were also determined by X-ray diffraction. The complexes show interesting structural motifs. Complex 6 is a monomer, with octahedral (Oh) geometry around the metal ion formed by three sulfur and three iodide atoms. Complexes 3 and 5 are dimers, with a square pyramidal (SP) geometry in each monomeric unit, while complexes 4 and 7 are polymers with pseudotrigonal bipyramidal (psi-TBP). Two or three sulfur atoms from thioamide ligands and three iodide atoms are bound to Sb atoms forming building blocks for the dimers and polymers. Strong intramolecular interactions between mu(2)-I and/or mu(2)-S and Sb atoms stabilize both structures. In dimer complex 5, two terminal iodide and one terminal sulfur atom are bonded to the Sb ion, while two mu(2)-I and one mu(2)-S bridging atoms bridge the metal ions forming psi-Oh geometry. Computational studies using multivariant linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) and considering biological results (50% inhibitory concentration, IC(50)) as dependent variables derived a theoretical equation for IC(50) values of the complexes studied. The calculated IC(50) values are compared satisfactorily with the experimental inhibitory activity of the complexes measured. Complexes 3-7 were used to study their influence upon the catalytic peroxidation of linoleic acid by the enzyme Lipoxygenase (LOX). Compounds 1-8 were also tested for in vitro cytotoxicity, and they showed mostly a moderate cytostatic activity against a variety of tumor cell lines but comparable with those found for the antimony(III) chloride and bromide complexes, reported earlier [Ozturk et al. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 2861-2866; Ozturk et al. Inorg. Chem. 2009, 48, 2233-2245]. ispartof: Inorganic Chemistry vol:49 issue:2 pages:488-501 ispartof: location:United States status: published

New antimony(III) bromide complexes with the heterocyclic thioamides, thiourea (TU), 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI), 2-mercapto-benzimidazole (MBZIM), 2-mercapto-5-methyl-benzimidazole (MMBZIM), 5-ethoxy-2-mercapto-benzimidazole (EtMBZIM), 2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidine (tHPMT), 2-mercaptopyridine (PYT), 2-mercapto-thiazolidine (MTZD), 3-methyl-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MMBZT), and 2-mercaptopyrimidine (PMTH) of formulas [SbBr(3)(TU)(2)] (1), [SbBr(3)(MMI)(2)] (2), {[SbBr(2)(MBZIM)(4)](+) [Br](-) H(2)O} (3), {[SbBr(2)(mu(2)-Br)(MMBZIM)(2)](2)} (4), {[SbBr(2)(mu(2)-Br)(EtMBZIM)(2)](2) MeOH} (5), {[SbBr(3)(mu(2)- S-tHPMT)(tHPMT)](n)} (6), ([SbBr(2)(mu(2)-Br)(PYT)(2))(n)} (7), {[SbBr(2)(mu(2)-Br)(MTZD)(2)](n)} (8), [SbBr(3)(MMBZT)(2)] (9), and {[SbBr(5)](2-) [(PMTH(2)(+))(2)]} (10) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, FTIR spectroscopy, FT-Raman spectroscopy, TG-DTA analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction. The crystal structures of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 were also determined by X-ray diffraction. In 3, four sulfur atoms from thione ligands and two bromide ions form an octahedral (O(h)) cationic [SbS(4)Br(2)](+) species in which the two bromide anions lie at axial positions. A third bromide counteranion neutralizes the whole complex. 4 and 5 are dimers, whereas 6, 7 and 8 are polymers, built up by monomeric units of square pyramidal (SP) geometry around the metal center, which were formed by two sulfur atoms of thioamide ligands and three bromide ions. Finally, 10 is ionic salt containing 1D polymeric network of {[SbBr(5)](2-)}(n) anions and -[(PMTH(2)(+))(2)] counter cations. in the lattice. The complexes showed mostly a moderate cytostatic activity against a variety of tumor cell lines. Inorg Chem

Objectives: Evaluation of a wide variety of pyridine N-oxide derivatives on their inhibitory activity against feline coronavirus (FIPV strain) and human SARS-CoV (Frankfurt strain-1) in cell culture. Methods: FIPV and SARS-CoV were exposed to confluent Crandel feline kidney (CRFK) and simian kidney (Vero) cell cultures in the presence of serial concentrations of the test compounds. The anti-cytopathic activity of the pyridine N-oxide derivatives was monitored by spectrophotometric analysis. Results and conclusions: A wide variety of pyridine N-oxide derivatives have been found to be inhibitory against feline coronavirus (FIPV strain) and human SARS-CoV (Frankfurt strain-1) in CRFK and simian kidney (Vero) cell cultures, respectively. The oxide part on the pyridine moiety proved indispensable for anti-coronavirus activity. The potency and virus specificity of the pyridine N-oxide derivatives varied depending the nature and specific location of substituents (i.e. alkyl, halogeno, nitro, etc.) on the different parts of the molecule. The most selective compounds were active in the higher microgram per litre range, being non-toxic at 50–100 mg/L. There was a poor structure-antiviral activity relationship (SAR) for the pyridine N-oxide derivatives against Fe-CoV and SARS-CoV. One of the most active and selective compounds was shown to inhibit Fe-CoV replication at the transcriptional level.

New potent indolyl aryl sulfone (IAS) HIV-1 NNRTIs were obtained by coupling natural and unnatural aminoacids to the 2-carboxamide, and introducing different electron-withdrawing substituent(s) at the position(s) 4 and 5 of the indole nucleus. The new IASs inhibited the HIV-1 replication in human T-lymphocyte (CEM) cells at low/sub-nanomolar concentration, and were weakly cytostatic. Against the mutant L100I and K103N RT HIV-1 strain, sulfones 3, 4, 19, 27 and 31 were superior to EFV, and equipotent to MKC-4965 and TMC120, and were as potent as EFV against the mutant Y181C strain. The new IASs proved to be effective inhibitors of Coxackie B4 virus with an EC50 = 2 M. In view of this particular therapeutic profile, these agents might be useful for the treatment of HIV seropositive patients with pathological conditions associated Coxsackie B virus. Superimposition of PLANTS docked conformations of 19 and the highly active derivative 9 revealed different hydrophobic interactions of the 3,5-dimethylphenyl group, for which a staking interaction with Tyr181 aromatic side chain was observed. In L100I mutated RT the mutation of leucine to isoleucine does not affect the binding mode confirming all the interactions reported for the WT strain.

In search for more effective drugs against HIV infection acting as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), a series of new molecules with hybrid structures based on the natural product (+)-calanolide A and the synthetic molecule α-APA, known as potent and selective inhibitors of this enzyme, were selected by docking calculations. A convergent synthetic strategy gave 21 compounds with a 2H-pyran-2-one structural unit and bearing isosteric modifications, which were tested against HIV-infected CEM cell cultures. Only compound 6 (4-((2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)amino)-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one) displayed inhibitory activity (EC50 : 25-50 µM). However, it was associated with a relatively high cytostatic effect on human T lymphocyte (CEM) cell cultures, not easily predictable, neither by the chemical structure nor by the computational approach. Although this drug design has failed in selecting a novel scaffold for NNRTIs, the results have driven the interest towards new potential antitumor molecules showing activity against L1210 murine leukemia and HeLa cervix carcinoma cells, among which compound 21 (6-methyl-4-((2-(naphthalen-1-yl)ethyl)sulfonyl)-2H-pyran-2-one) was the most effective (IC50 : 0.95 and 2.9 µM, respectively).

Various Mannich bases of chalcones and related compounds displayed significant cytotoxicity toward murine P388 and L1210 leukemia cells as well as a number of human tumor cell lines. The most promising lead molecule was 21 that had the highest activity toward L1210 and human tumor cells. In addition, 21 exerted preferential toxicity to human tumor lines compared to transformed human T-lymphocytes. Other compounds of interest were 38, with a huge differential in cytotoxicity between P388 and L1210 cells, and 42, with a high therapeutic index when cytotoxicity to P388 cells and Molt 4/C8 T-lymphocytes were compared. In general, the Mannich bases were more cytotoxic than the corresponding chalcones toward L1210 but not P388 cells. A ClusCor analysis of the data obtained from the in vitro human tumor screen revealed that the mode of action of certain groups of compounds was similar. For some groups of compounds, cytotoxicity was correlated with the sigma, pi, or molar refractivity constants in the aryl ring attached to the olefinic group. In addition, the IC50 values in all three screens correlated with the redox potentials of a number of Mannich bases. X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling of representative compounds revealed various structural features which were considered to contribute to cytotoxicity. While a representative compound 15 was stable and unreactive toward glutathione (GSH) in buffer, the Mannich bases 15, 18, and 21 reacted with GSH in the presence of the pi isozyme of glutathione S-transferase, suggesting that thiol alkylation may be one mechanism by which cytotoxicity was exerted in vitro. Representative compounds were shown to be nonmutagenic in an intrachromosomal recombination assay in yeast, devoid of antimicrobial properties and possessing anticonvulsant and neurotoxic properties. Thus Mannich bases of chalcones represent a new group of cytotoxic agents of which 21 in particular serves as an useful prototypic molecule.

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New antimony(III) chloride complexes with heterocyclic thioamides, thiourea (TU), 2-mercapto-5-methyl-benzimidazole (MMBZIM), 3-methyl-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MMBZT), 2-mercaptopyrimidine (PMT), 2-mercaptopyridine (PYT) of formulae [SbCl3(TU)(2)] (1), [SbCl3(MMBZIM)(2)] (2), [SbCl3(MMBZT)(2)] (3), [SbCl3(PMT)(2)] (4), [SbCl3(mu(2)-S)(PYT)(2)] (5) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopies, and TG-DTA analysis. The crystal structure of 5 was also determined by X-ray diffraction. [C10H10Cl3N2S2Sb] (5) crystallizes in space group C2/c, with a = 25.0169(10) angstrom, b = 9.7952(3) angstrom, c = 12.9329(5) angstrom, beta = 109.702(4)degrees, and Z = 8. Crystals of 5 grown from acetonitrile solutions adopt a square-pyramidal geometry. The equatorial plane is formed by three chlorides and one sulfur atom from the thione ligand while the second sulfur is axial. The complexes were evaluated for their biological activities and compared with [SbCl3(MMI)(2)] (6) (MMI = 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole) and other isostructural ones. The complexes showed moderate cytostatic activity against murine leukemia cells (L1210), murine mammary carcinoma cells (FM3A), human T-lymphocyte (Molt4/C8, CEM), and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The chloro and iodo derivatives show better cytostatic activity than the bromo ones. Hellenic Ministry of Education; NATONATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) [PDD(CP)-(CBP.NR.NRCLG 983167)] This research was carried out in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD thesis of I.I.O., under the supervision of S. K. H., under the framework of the graduate program in Bioinorganic Chemistry, coordinated by N.H., at the University of Ioannina. S.K.H., N.H., and I.S.B. would like to acknowledge a NATO grant for the exchange of scientists (PDD(CP)-(CBP.NR.NRCLG 983167). I.I.O. thanks the Hellenic Ministry of Education for a scholarship for postgraduate studies.

VII Escuela de verano de la SEQT, Sociedad Española de Química Terapeútica, Barcelona, 19-21 Julio, 2022

The synthesis of new 2′,3′-dideoxy-C-nucleosides structurally related to didanosine has been achieved. Their preparation involved condensation of a suitably substituted, lithiated 2- or 4-picoline with 2′,3′- dideoxy-5′-benzylribonolactone, followed by borohydride reduction of the resulting hemiacetals, intramolecular Mitsunobu cyclization of the derived diols, formation of the pyrazolo[3,4-c] or [4,3-b]pyridine ring-system and subsequent removal of the protecting groups. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart.

The syntheses of a novel C-nucleoside which can be viewed as 8-aza-3,9-dideazaguanosine, as well as of the corresponding heterocyclic base, are described. N-[4-(2,3,5-tri-O-Acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosylmethyl)-2- methoxypyridin-3-yl]acetamide was regiospecifically nitrated and upon reduction and protection of the amino group underwent ring closure to the corresponding pyrazolopyridine derivative. The guanosine analogue was obtained via successive cleavage of the protecting groups. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart.

The preparation of novel 5-amino or 7-hydroxy substituted pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine and pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine acyclic C-nucleosides is described. Their synthesis was carried out by condensation of suitably substituted lithiated picolines with 2-benzyloxyethoxymethylchloride followed by pyrazole ring annulation. The compounds were evaluated for their antiviral activity against a wide panel of viruses, but were found inactive at subtoxic concentrations. © 2008 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.

Objectives Many enveloped viruses carry carbohydrate-containing proteins on their surface. These glycoproteins are key to the infection process as they are mediators of the receptor binding and membrane fusion of the virion with the host cell. Therefore, they are attractive therapeutic targets for the development of novel antiviral therapies. Recently, carbohydrate-binding agents (CBA) were shown to possess antiviral activity towards coronaviruses. The current study further elucidates the inhibitory mode of action of CBA. Methods Different strains of two coronaviruses, mouse hepatitis virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus, were exposed to CBA: the plant lectins Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Hippeastrum hybrid agglutinin and Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) and the non-peptidic mannose-binding antibiotic pradimicin A. Results and conclusions Our results indicate that CBA target the two glycosylated envelope glycoproteins, the spike (S) and membrane (M) protein, of mouse hepatitis virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus. Furthermore, CBA did not inhibit virus–cell attachment, but rather affected virus entry at a post-binding stage. The sensitivity of coronaviruses towards CBA was shown to be dependent on the processing of the N-linked carbohydrates. Inhibition of mannosidases in host cells rendered the progeny viruses more sensitive to the mannose-binding agents and even to the N-acetylglucosamine-binding UDA. In addition, inhibition of coronaviruses was shown to be dependent on the cell-type used to grow the virus stocks. All together, these results show that CBA exhibit promising capabilities to inhibit coronavirus infections.

OBJECTIVES: Many enveloped viruses carry carbohydrate-containing proteins on their surface. These glycoproteins are key to the infection process as they are mediators of the receptor binding and membrane fusion of the virion with the host cell. Therefore, they are attractive therapeutic targets for the development of novel antiviral therapies. Recently, carbohydrate-binding agents (CBA) were shown to possess antiviral activity towards coronaviruses. The current study further elucidates the inhibitory mode of action of CBA. METHODS: Different strains of two coronaviruses, mouse hepatitis virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus, were exposed to CBA: the plant lectins Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Hippeastrum hybrid agglutinin and Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) and the non-peptidic mannose-binding antibiotic pradimicin A. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CBA target the two glycosylated envelope glycoproteins, the spike (S) and membrane (M) protein, of mouse hepatitis virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus. Furthermore, CBA did not inhibit virus-cell attachment, but rather affected virus entry at a post-binding stage. The sensitivity of coronaviruses towards CBA was shown to be dependent on the processing of the N-linked carbohydrates. Inhibition of mannosidases in host cells rendered the progeny viruses more sensitive to the mannose-binding agents and even to the N-acetylglucosamine-binding UDA. In addition, inhibition of coronaviruses was shown to be dependent on the cell-type used to grow the virus stocks. All together, these results show that CBA exhibit promising capabilities to inhibit coronavirus infections.

We describe the antiviral activity of plant lectins with specificity for different glycan structures against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in vitro. The SARS-CoV emerged in 2002 as an important cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in humans, and FIPV infection causes a chronic and often fatal peritonitis in cats. A unique collection of 33 plant lectins with different specificities were evaluated. The plant lectins possessed marked antiviral properties against both coronaviruses with EC(50) values in the lower microgram/ml range (middle nanomolar range), being non-toxic (CC(50)) at 50-100 microg/ml. The strongest anti-coronavirus activity was found predominantly among the mannose-binding lectins. In addition, a number of galactose-, N-acetylgalactosamine-, glucose-, and N-acetylglucosamine-specific plant agglutinines exhibited anti-coronaviral activity. A significant correlation (with an r-value of 0.70) between the EC(50) values of the 10 mannose-specific plant lectins effective against the two coronaviruses was found. In contrast, little correlation was seen between the activity of other types of lectins. Two targets of possible antiviral intervention were identified in the replication cycle of SARS-CoV. The first target is located early in the replication cycle, most probably viral attachment, and the second target is located at the end of the infectious virus cycle.

Various semisynthetic derivatives of glycopeptide antibiotics including vancomycin, eremomycin, teicoplanin, ristocetin A and DA-40926 have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity against feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) and human (SARS-CoV, Frankfurt-1 strain) coronavirus in cell culture in comparison with their activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Several glycopeptide derivatives modified with hydrophobic substituents showed selective antiviral activity. For the most active compounds, the 50% effective concentrations (EC50) were in the lower micromolar range. In general, removal of the carbohydrate parts of the molecules did not affect the antiviral activity of the compounds. Some compounds showed inhibitory activity against both, whereas other compounds proved inhibitory to either, FIPV or SARS-CoV. There was no close correlation between the EC50 values of the glycopeptide derivatives for FIPV or SARS-CoV.

The multisubstrate nucleoside kinase of Drosophila melanogaster (Dm-dNK) can be expressed in human solid tumor cells and its unique enzymatic properties makes this enzyme a suicide gene candidate. In the present study, Dm-dNK was stably expressed in the CCRF-CEM and H9 T-lymphoblastoid cell lines. The expressed enzyme was localized to the cell nucleus and the enzyme retained its activity. The Dm-dNK overexpressing cells showed approximately 200-fold increased sensitivity to the cytostatic activity of several nucleoside analogs, such as the pyrimidine nucleoside analogs (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) and 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylthymine (araT), but not to the antiherpetic purine nucleoside analogs ganciclovir, acyclovir and penciclovir, which may allow this technology to be applied in donor T cells and/or rescue graft vs. host disease to permit modulation of alloreactivity after transplantation. The most pronounced effect on the steady-state dNTP levels was a two- to 10-fold increased dTTP pool in Dm-dNK expressing cells that were grown in the presence of 1 microm of each natural deoxyribonucleoside. Although the Dm-dNK expressing cells demonstrated dNTP pool imbalances, no mitochondrial DNA deletions or altered mitochondrial DNA levels were detected in the H9 Dm-dNK expressing cells.

The highly conserved Asn136 is in close proximity to the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NNRTI)-specific lipophilic pocket of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RT. Site-directed mutagenesis has revealed that the catalytic activity of HIV-1 RT mutated at position Asn136 is heavily compromised. Only 0.07 to 2.1% of wild-type activity is retained, depending on the nature of the amino acid change at position 136. The detrimental effect of the mutations at position 136 occurred when the mutated amino acid was present in the p51 subunit but not in the p66 subunit of the p51/p66 RT heterodimer. All mutant enzymes could be inhibited by second-generation NNRTIs such as efavirenz. They were also markedly more sensitive to the inactivating (denaturating) effect of urea than wild-type RT, and the degree of increased urea sensitivity was highly correlated with the degree of (lower) catalytic activity of the mutant enzymes. Replacing wild-type Asn136 in HIV-1 RT with other amino acids resulted in notably increased amounts of free p51 and p66 monomers. Our findings identify a structural/functional role for Asn136 in stabilization of the RT p66/p51 dimer and provide hints for the rational design of novel NNRTIs or drugs targeting either Asn136 in the beta7-beta8 loop of p51 or its anchoring point on p66 (the peptide backbone of His96) so as to interfere with the RT dimerization process and/or with the structural support that the p51 subunit provides to the p66 subunit and which is essential for the catalytic enzyme activity.

Eur. J. Inorg. Chem.

The novel aminoacid derivatives of hydantoins: Synthesis, absolute configuration determination, cytostatic and antiviral evaluations.

Silver(I) bromide reacts with 2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (StpmH(2), C4H8N2S) in DMSO with an excess of triethylamine to give a water-insoluble complex of formula [Ag-6(mu(2)-Br)(6)(mu(2)-StpmH(2))(4)(mu(3)-StpmH(2))(2)](n) (1), while the reaction of silver(I) nitrate with StpmH(2) under the same conditions gives a water-insoluble complex of formula [{Ag-4(mu(2)-StpmH(2))(6)}(NO3)(4)](n) (2). The products were characterized by elemental analyses, and FT-IR far-IR, UV/Vis, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1, C24H48Ag6N12S6, crystallizes in the triclinic system space group P (1) over bar, a = 8.041(1) Angstrom, b = 12.838(4) Angstrom, c = 13.281(2) Angstrom, alpha = 68.40(1)degrees, = 72.97(1)degrees, gamma = 87.80(2), Z = 2, forming a one-dimensional infinite ribbon structure by strong interatomic interactions of two mu(2)-Br bonds with Ag(1). Complex 2, C24H48Ag4N16O12S6, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmc2(1), and a = 32.148(3) Angstrom, b = 9.461(2) Angstrom, c = 7.234(1) Angstrom, alpha = beta = gamma = 90degrees, Z = 8, forming infinite Ag-S-Ag chains which are bridged to each other by a sulfur atom of mu(2)-StpmH(2) ligands. Complexes 1 and 2 were studied for their cytostatic activity against murine leukemia (L1210) and human T-lymphocyte (Molt4/C8 and CEM) cells and for their antiviral activity against a wide variety of viruses. They are markedly cytostatic at 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 3 to 17 mug/mL. None of the compounds showed appreciable antiviral activity at subtoxic concentrations. (C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry