Stereoselective synthesis of 4'-selenonucleosides via seleno-Michael reaction as potent antiviral agents

Org Lett. 2014 Nov 7;16(21):5796-9. doi: 10.1021/ol502899b. Epub 2014 Oct 23.

Abstract

Based on the hypothesis that the bulky selenium atom, with 4p orbitals, can sterically hinder the approach of a cellular kinase to 5'-OH for phosphorylation, 4'-selenonucleosides with one-carbon homologation were designed and synthesized via a novel seleno-Michael reaction, with the stereoselectivity controlled by steric effects. 5'-Homo-4'-selenonucleosides (n = 2) demonstrated potent antiherpes simplex virus (HSV-1) activity, indicating that the bulky selenium atom might play a key role in preventing phosphorylation by cellular kinases, resulting in no antiviral activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Dideoxynucleosides / chemical synthesis*
  • Dideoxynucleosides / chemistry
  • Dideoxynucleosides / pharmacology*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / chemistry*
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Organoselenium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Simplexvirus / drug effects*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Thymidine Kinase / chemistry*
  • Thymidine Kinase / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Dideoxynucleosides
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • Thymidine Kinase