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Glycosylation of the surface immunoglobulin (Ig) variable region is a remarkable follicular lymphoma–associated feature rarely seen in normal B cells. Here, we define a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) that acquire N-glycosylation sites selectively in the Ig complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of the antigen-binding sites. Mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography demonstrate how the inserted glycans are stalled at oligomannose-type structures because they are buried in the CDR loops. Acquisition of sites occurs in ∼50% of germinal-center B-cell–like DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL), mainly of the genetic EZB subtype, irrespective of IGHV-D-J use. This markedly contrasts with the activated B-cell–like DLBCL Ig, which rarely has sites in the CDR and does not seem to acquire oligomannose-type structures. Acquisition of CDR-located acceptor sites associates with mutations of epigenetic regulators and BCL2 translocations, indicating an origin shared with follicular lymphoma. Within the EZB subtype, these sites are associated with more rapid disease progression and with significant gene set enrichment of the B-cell receptor, PI3K/AKT/MTORC1 pathway, glucose metabolism, and MYC signaling pathways, particularly in the fraction devoid of MYC translocations. The oligomannose-type glycans on the lymphoma cells interact with the candidate lectin dendritic cell–specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN), mediating low-level signals, and lectin-expressing cells form clusters with lymphoma cells. Both clustering and signaling are inhibited by antibodies specifically targeting the DC-SIGN carbohydrate recognition domain. Oligomannosylation of the tumor Ig is a posttranslational modification that readily identifies a distinct GCB-DLBCL category with more aggressive clinical behavior, and it could be a potential precise therapeutic target via antibody-mediated inhibition of the tumor Ig interaction with DC-SIGN–expressing M2-polarized macrophages.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects human B cells and reprograms them to allow virus replication and persistence. One key viral factor in this process is latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A), which has been described as a B cell receptor (BCR) mimic promoting malignant transformation. However, how LMP2A signaling contributes to tumorigenesis remains elusive. By comparing LMP2A and BCR signaling in primary human B cells using phosphoproteomics and transcriptome profiling, we identified molecular mechanisms through which LMP2A affects B cell biology. Consistent with the literature, we found that LMP2A mimics a subset of BCR signaling events, including tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinase SYK, the calcium initiation complex consisting of BLNK, BTK, and PLCγ2, and its downstream transcription factor NFAT. However, the majority of LMP2A-induced signaling events markedly differed from those induced by BCR stimulation. These included differential phosphorylation of kinases, phosphatases, adaptor proteins, transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and TCF3, as well as widespread changes in the transcriptional output of LMP2A-expressing B cells. LMP2A affected apoptosis and cell-cycle checkpoints by dysregulating the expression of apoptosis regulators such as BCl-xL and the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma-associated protein 1 (RB1). LMP2A cooperated with MYC and mutant cyclin D3, two oncogenic drivers of Burkitt lymphoma, to promote proliferation and survival of primary human B cells by counteracting MYC-induced apoptosis and by inhibiting RB1 function, thereby promoting cell-cycle progression. Our results indicate that LMP2A is not a pure BCR mimic but rather rewires intracellular signaling in EBV-infected B cells that optimizes cell survival and proliferation, setting the stage for oncogenic transformation.

Zoonotic monkey B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1; BV) infections are extremely serious and usually fatal. Drugs currently used for treatment were developed for the treatment of herpes simplex virus but are less effective against BV. Effective suppression of viral replication in the skin could prevent the virus from invading the nervous system. To test this hypothesis, the efficacy of topical administration of several drugs against lethal BV infection was evaluated in female BALB/c mice that were infected by scarification. Drugs were then applied to the site of inoculation. As 3% preparations, most drugs were only minimally effective or ineffective. In contrast, ganciclovir and cidofovir were very effective. The ED50 for cidofovir was 0.007%, compared with 1.1% for ganciclovir. At 0.5%, cidofovir protected against both death and neurologic signs, whereas 5% ganciclovir only protected against death but not neurologic involvement. All genotypes of BV were equally susceptible to cidofovir and ganciclovir. For maximal effectiveness, treatment with both cidofovir and ganciclovir had to be initiated within 8 h of infection. Cidofovir was completely protective when administered only on the day of infection, whereas a minimum of 5 d of treatment was required for maximal ganciclovir efficacy. These studies showed that topical cidofovir treatment started soon after BV exposure was very effective in preventing BV from invading the nervous system, whereas ganciclovir treatment was only partially effective. In addition, cidofovir was protective against a ganciclovir-resistant BV mutant, whereas ganciclovir was not. These studies showed that topical cidofovir treatment started soon after BV exposure is more effective than ganciclovir in preventing BV from invading the CNS.

The use of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors to block B-cell receptor (BCR)–dependent NF-κB activation in lymphoid malignancies has been a major clinical advance, yet acquired therapeutic resistance is a recurring problem. We modeled the development of resistance to the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib in the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which relies on chronic active BCR signaling for survival. The primary mode of resistance was epigenetic, driven in part by the transcription factor TCF4. The resultant phenotypic shift altered BCR signaling such that the GTPase RAC2 substituted for BTK in the activation of phospholipase Cγ2, thereby sustaining NF-κB activity. The interaction of RAC2 with phospholipase Cγ2 was also increased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells from patients with persistent or progressive disease on BTK inhibitor treatment. We identified clinically available drugs that can treat epigenetic ibrutinib resistance, suggesting combination therapeutic strategies. Significance: In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, we show that primary resistance to BTK inhibitors is due to epigenetic rather than genetic changes that circumvent the BTK blockade. We also observed this resistance mechanism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, suggesting that epigenetic alterations may contribute more to BTK inhibitor resistance than currently thought. See related commentary by Pasqualucci, p. 555. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 549

Summary In diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), tumors belonging to the ABC but not GCB gene expression subgroup rely upon chronic active B cell receptor signaling for viability, a dependency that is targetable by ibrutinib. A phase III trial (“Phoenix;” ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01855750 ) showed a survival benefit of ibrutinib addition to R-CHOP chemotherapy in younger patients with non-GCB DLBCL, but the molecular basis for this benefit was unclear. Analysis of biopsies from Phoenix trial patients revealed three previously characterized genetic subtypes of DLBCL: MCD, BN2, and N1. The 3-year event-free survival of younger patients (age ≤60 years) treated with ibrutinib plus R-CHOP was 100% in the MCD and N1 subtypes while the survival of patients with these subtypes treated with R-CHOP alone was significantly inferior (42.9% and 50%, respectively). This work provides a mechanistic understanding of the benefit of ibrutinib addition to chemotherapy, supporting its use in younger patients with non-GCB DLBCL.

Relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is difficult to cure; non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) and activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCL have worse outcomes than GCB DLBCL. Ibrutinib and lenalidomide are synergistic in vitro in ABC DLBCL and may augment salvage chemotherapy. In part 1 of this phase 1b/2 study (NCT02142049), patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL received ibrutinib 560 mg and escalating doses of lenalidomide on Days 1-7 with DA-EPOCH-R (Days 1-5) in 21-day cycles. In part 1 (

The KLHL14 gene acquires frequent inactivating mutations in mature B cell malignancies, especially in the MYD88 L265P , CD79B mutant (MCD) genetic subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which relies on B cell receptor (BCR) signaling for survival. However, the pathogenic role of KLHL14 in DLBCL and its molecular function are largely unknown. Here, we report that KLHL14 is in close proximity to the BCR in the endoplasmic reticulum of MCD cell line models and promotes the turnover of immature glycoforms of BCR subunits, reducing total cellular BCR levels. Loss of KLHL14 confers relative resistance to the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib and promotes assembly of the MYD88-TLR9-BCR (My-T-BCR) supercomplex, which initiates prosurvival NF-κB activation. Consequently, KLHL14 inactivation allows MCD cells to maintain NF-κB signaling in the presence of ibrutinib. These findings reinforce the central role of My-T-BCR–dependent NF-κB signaling in MCD DLBCL and suggest that the genetic status of KLHL14 should be considered in clinical trials testing inhibitors of BTK and BCR signaling mediators in DLBCL.

Despite the growing global crisis caused by antimicrobial drug resistance among pathogenic bacteria, the number of new antibiotics, especially new chemical class of antibiotics under development is insufficient to tackle the problem. Our review focuses on an emerging class of antibacterial therapeutic agents that holds a completely novel mechanism of action, namely, inhibition of bacterial DNA polymerase IIIC. The recent entry of this new class into human trials may herald the introduction of novel drugs whose novel molecular target precludes cross-resistance with existing antibiotic classes. This review therefore examines the evolution of DNA pol IIIC inhibitors from the discovery of 6-(p-hydroxyphenylazo)uracil (HPUra) in the 1960s to the development of current first-in-class N7-substituted guanine drug candidate ACX-362E, now under clinical development for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection.

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 receptor antagonist reduces ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Previous evidence from our group, obtained in a preclinical model of recurrent platelet-mediated thrombosis, demonstrated that GLS-409, a diadenosine tetraphosphate derivative that inhibits both P2Y1 and P2Y12 ADP receptors, may be a novel and promising antiplatelet drug candidate. However, the salutary antiplatelet effects of GLS-409 were accompanied by a trend toward an unfavorable increase in bleeding. The goals of this study were to: 1) provide proof-of-concept that the efficacy of GLS-409 may be maintained at lower dose(s), not accompanied by an increased propensity to bleeding; and 2) establish the extent and kinetics of the reversibility of human platelet inhibition by the agent. Lower doses of GLS-409 were identified that inhibited in vivo recurrent coronary thrombosis with no increase in bleeding time. Human platelet inhibition by GLS-409 was reversible, with rapid recovery of platelet reactivity to ADP, as measured by platelet surface activated GPIIb-IIIa and platelet surface P-selectin. These data support the concept that GLS-409 warrants further, larger-scale investigation as a novel, potential therapy in acute coronary syndromes.

B cell receptor (BCR) signalling has emerged as a therapeutic target in B cell lymphomas, but inhibiting this pathway in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has benefited only a subset of patients1. Gene expression profiling identified two major subtypes of DLBCL, known as germinal centre B cell-like and activated B cell-like (ABC)2,3, that show poor outcomes after immunochemotherapy in ABC. Autoantigens drive BCR-dependent activation of NF-κB in ABC DLBCL through a kinase signalling cascade of SYK, BTK and PKCβ to promote the assembly of the CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 adaptor complex, which recruits and activates IκB kinase4-6. Genome sequencing revealed gain-of-function mutations that target the CD79A and CD79B BCR subunits and the Toll-like receptor signalling adaptor MYD885,7, with MYD88(L265P) being the most prevalent isoform. In a clinical trial, the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib produced responses in 37% of cases of ABC1. The most striking response rate (80%) was observed in tumours with both CD79B and MYD88(L265P) mutations, but how these mutations cooperate to promote dependence on BCR signalling remains unclear. Here we used genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening and functional proteomics to determine the molecular basis of exceptional clinical responses to ibrutinib. We discovered a new mode of oncogenic BCR signalling in ibrutinib-responsive cell lines and biopsies, coordinated by a multiprotein supercomplex formed by MYD88, TLR9 and the BCR (hereafter termed the My-T-BCR supercomplex). The My-T-BCR supercomplex co-localizes with mTOR on endolysosomes, where it drives pro-survival NF-κB and mTOR signalling. Inhibitors of BCR and mTOR signalling cooperatively decreased the formation and function of the My-T-BCR supercomplex, providing mechanistic insight into their synergistic toxicity for My-T-BCR+ DLBCL cells. My-T-BCR supercomplexes characterized ibrutinib-responsive malignancies and distinguished ibrutinib responders from non-responders. Our data provide a framework for the rational design of oncogenic signalling inhibitors in molecularly defined subsets of DLBCL.

The two major subtypes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)—activated B cell–like (ABC) and germinal center B cell–like (GCB)—arise by distinct mechanisms, with ABC selectively acquiring mutations that target the B cell receptor (BCR), fostering chronic active BCR signaling(1). The ABC subtype has a ∼40% cure rate with currently available therapies, which is worse than the rate for GCB DLBCL, and highlights the need for ABC subtype-specific treatment strategies(2). We hypothesized that ABC, but not GCB, DLBCL tumors would respond to ibrutinib, an inhibitor of BCR signaling. In a phase 1/2 clinical trial that involved 80 subjects with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, ibrutinib produced complete or partial responses in 37% (14/38) of those with ABC DLBCL, but in only 5% (1/20) of subjects with GCB DLBCL (P = 0.0106). ABC tumors with BCR mutations responded to ibrutinib frequently (5/9; 55.5%), especially those with concomitant myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88) mutations (4/5; 80%), a result that is consistent with in vitro cooperation between the BCR and MYD88 pathways. However, the highest number of responses occurred in ABC tumors that lacked BCR mutations (9/29; 31%), suggesting that oncogenic BCR signaling in ABC does not require BCR mutations and might be initiated by non-genetic mechanisms. These results support the selective development of ibrutinib for the treatment of ABC DLBCL.

There is tremendous potential for oligonucleotide (ON) therapeutics, but low cellular penetration due to their polyanionic nature is a major obstacle. We addressed this problem by developing a new approach for ON charge neutralization in which multiple branched charge-neutralizing sleeves (BCNSs) are attached to the internucleoside phosphates of ON by Aphosphotriester bonds. The BCNSs are terminated with positively charged amino groups, and are optimized to form ion pairs with the neighboring phosphate groups. The new modified ONs can be prepared by standard automated phosphoramidite chemistry in good yield and purity. They possess good solubility and hybridization properties, are not involved in non-standard intramolecular aggregation, have low cytotoxicity, adequate chemical stability, improved serum stability, and above all, display significantly enhanced cellular uptake. Thus, the new ON derivatives exhibit properties that make them promising candidates for the development of novel therapeutics or research tools for modulation of the expression of target genes.

In the activated B-cell-like (ABC) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), NF-κB activity is essential for viability of the malignant cells and is sustained by constitutive activity of IκB kinase (IKK) in the cytoplasm. Here, we report an unexpected role for the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins BRD2 and BRD4 in maintaining oncogenic IKK activity in ABC DLBCL. IKK activity was reduced by small molecules targeting BET proteins as well as by genetic knockdown of BRD2 and BRD4 expression, thereby inhibiting downstream NF-κB-driven transcriptional programs and killing ABC DLBCL cells. Using a high-throughput platform to screen for drug-drug synergy, we observed that the BET inhibitor JQ1 combined favorably with multiple drugs targeting B-cell receptor signaling, one pathway that activates IKK in ABC DLBCL. The BTK kinase inhibitor ibrutinib, which is in clinical development for the treatment of ABC DLBCL, synergized strongly with BET inhibitors in killing ABC DLBCL cells in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the clinical development of BET protein inhibitors in ABC DLBCL, particularly in combination with other modulators of oncogenic IKK signaling.

DNA polymerases pol IIIC and dnaE [i.e. pol IIIE] are essential for replicative DNA synthesis in low G:C Gram-positive eubacteria. Therefore, they have strong potential as targets for development of Gram-positive-selective antibacterial agents. This work has sought to extend to dnaE the recent discovery of antimicrobial agents based on pol IIIC-specific dGTP analogs. Compound 324C, a member of the same dGTP analog family, was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of isolated dnaE in vitro. Surprisingly, 324C had no inhibitory effect in either intact Bacillus subtilis cells or in permeabilized cell preparations used to assess replicative DNA synthesis directly. It is proposed that the failure of 324C in the intact cell is a consequence of two major factors: (i) its template-dependent base pairing mechanism, and (ii) a specific subordinate role which dnaE apparently plays to pol IIIC. To generate an effective dnaE-selective inhibitor of replicative DNA synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria, it will likely be necessary to develop a molecule that attacks the enzyme's active site directly, without binding to template DNA.

Objective— Unlike currently approved adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonists, the new diadenosine tetraphosphate derivative GLS-409 targets not only P2Y 12 but also the second human platelet adenosine diphosphate receptor P2Y 1 and may, therefore, be a promising antiplatelet drug candidate. The current study is the first to investigate the in vivo antithrombotic effects of GLS-409. Approach and Results— We studied (1) the in vivo effects of GLS-409 on agonist-stimulated platelet aggregation in anesthetized rats, (2) the antithrombotic activity of GLS-409 and the associated effect on the bleeding time in a canine model of platelet-mediated coronary artery thrombosis, and (3) the inhibition of agonist-stimulated platelet aggregation by GLS-409 versus selective P2Y 1 and P2Y 12 inhibition in vitro in samples from healthy human subjects before and 2 hours after aspirin intake. In vivo treatment with GLS-409 significantly inhibited adenosine diphosphate- and collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation in rats. Further, GLS-409 attenuated cyclic flow variation, that is, platelet-mediated thrombosis, in vivo in our canine model of unstable angina. The improvement in coronary patency was accompanied by a nonsignificant 30% increase in bleeding time. Of note, GLS-409 exerted its effects without affecting rat and canine hemodynamics. Finally, in vitro treatment with GLS-409 showed effects similar to that of cangrelor and the combination of cangrelor with the selective P2Y 1 inhibitor MRS 2179 on agonist-stimulated platelet aggregation in human platelet-rich plasma and whole blood before and 2 hours after aspirin intake. Conclusions— Synergistic inhibition of both P2Y 1 and P2Y 12 adenosine diphosphate receptors by GLS-409 immediately attenuates platelet-mediated thrombosis and effectively blocks agonist-stimulated platelet aggregation irrespective of concomitant aspirin therapy.

Currently approved platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonists target only the platelet P2Y12 receptor. Moreover, especially in patients with acute coronary syndromes, there is a strong need for rapidly acting and reversible antiplatelet agents in order to minimize the risk of thrombotic events and bleeding complications. In this study, a series of new P(1),P(4)-di(adenosine-5') tetraphosphate (Ap4A) derivatives with modifications in the base and in the tetraphosphate chain were synthesized and evaluated with respect to their effects on platelet aggregation and function of the platelet P2Y1, P2Y12, and P2X1 receptors. The resulting structure-activity relationships were used to design Ap4A analogs which inhibit human platelet aggregation by simultaneously antagonizing both P2Y1 and P2Y12 platelet receptors. Unlike Ap4A, the analogs do not activate platelet P2X1 receptors. Furthermore, the new compounds exhibit fast onset and offset of action and are significantly more stable than Ap4A to degradation in plasma, thus presenting a new promising class of antiplatelet agents.

Introduction. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is a mainstay of pharmacological therapy in acute coronary syndromes. GLS-409 is a novel diadenosine tetraphosphate derivative that inhibits both P2Y1 and P2Y12platelet ADP receptors. Aims. 1) Determine the minimal dose of GLS-409 for in vivo inhibition of recurrent coronary thrombosis in a canine model. 2) Characterize the effects of the minimal antithrombotic dose of GLS-409 on the bleeding time. 3) Determine the extent and kinetics of the reversibility of platelet inhibition by GLS-409. Methods. (1) Canine Model of Recurrent Coronary Thrombosis. Recurrent platelet-mediated coronary thrombosis was initiated in anesthetized dogs by application of a stenosis at a site of vessel injury. At 1 h post-injury + stenosis, dogs were randomized to receive either GLS-409 or matched volumes of vehicle (saline). Three doses of GLS-409 were assessed: A) 0.054 mg/kg bolus + 0.00018 mg/kg/min infusion maintained for 2 hours; B) 1/10th bolus + 1/10th infusion; C) 1/100th bolus + 1/100th infusion. Coronary blood flow was monitored throughout the 2 hours post-treatment. Primary endpoints were: (i) area of the flow-time profile (index of coronary patency, expressed as % of baseline flow); and (ii) template bleeding time. (2) Reversibility of platelet inhibition following 30 minutes exposure to GLS-409. Sodium citrate 3.2% anticoagulated whole blood from healthy human volunteers (n=9) was treated with 80% inhibitory dose of GLS-409 for 30 minutes and assessed for recovery of response to ADP by flow cytometric analysis of platelet surface P-selectin and activated GPIIb-IIIa (reported by binding of the activation-dependent monoclonal antibody, PAC-1), at specified times before and after 300-fold dilution in drug-free, platelet-poor plasma. Results. (1) All dogs developed spontaneous episodes of recurrent thrombosis following coronary injury + stenosis. In the saline control group, there was no change in coronary patency during the 2 hour treatment period versus the pretreatment phase. Administration of GLS-409 at Doses A and B was associated with significant increases in % flow-time area, while Dose C had no significant effect on patency (Figure A). GLS-409 at Doses A and B which effectively inhibited recurrent coronary thrombosis, had no effect on the template bleeding time. (2) Incubation of human whole blood with GLS-409 for 30 min at room temperature, produced strong, concentration-dependent inhibition of the ADP-stimulated increases in platelet surface P-selectin and activated GPIIb-IIIa; 80% inhibition was obtained with 1.56 nM GLS-409. Blood exposed for 30 minutes to the 80% inhibitory concentration of GLS-409, then diluted 300-fold in drug-free, platelet-poor plasma (thereby reducing GLS-409 to 0.0052 nM, final concentration) showed a time-dependent recovery of reactivity to ADP as measured by both platelet surface P-selectin and activated GPIIb-IIIa (Figure B). However, while ADP-stimulated activated GPIIb-IIIa fully recovered within 60 min to levels seen in vehicle-treated samples, ADP-stimulated P-selectin response recovered to only 75% of the response seen in the vehicle-treated control (Figure B). Conclusions. (1) GLS-409 improved coronary patency in this canine model of recurrent coronary thrombosis without an accompanying increase in the bleeding time. (2) The time required after exposure of platelets to GLS-409 in whole blood for 50% recovery of ADP-stimulated PAC-1 reactivity (~26 min) is longer than published (J Thromb Haemost . 2017. 10.1111/jth.13627) recovery times after exposure to cangrelor (1.8 min), ticagrelor (4.4 min), and ticagrelor active metabolite (6.3 min), suggesting a slower off-rate for GLS-409. Incomplete reversibility of ADP-stimulated P-selectin following exposure to GLS-409 is similar to published results for cangrelor, but different from ticagrelor, both of which are selective for P2Y12. This relatively slow reversibility of GLS-409 inhibition offers another explanation, in addition to its dual specificity for P2Y1 and P2Y12, for the presently-described high potency of GLS-409 observed in the animal model. These properties suggest that GLS-409 could become a useful addition to the current drugs used in acute coronary syndromes. Further evaluation of the potential clinical utility of GLS-409 is warranted. Disclosures Michelson: Ionis: Research Funding; Sysmex: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; GLSynthesis: Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Elsevier: Patents & Royalties; Ironwood: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Instrumentation Laboratory: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding. Yanachkov: GLSynthesis: Employment. Yanachkova: GLSynthesis: Employment. Wright: GLSynthesis: Employment. Przyklenk: GLSynthesis: Research Funding. Frelinger: Pfizer: Research Funding; Ionis: Research Funding; Sysmex: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; GLSynthesis: Research Funding; Ironwood: Research Funding.

Bryan M Gebhardt1, Federico Focher2, Richard Eberle3, Andrzej Manikowski4, GeorgeE Wright41LSU Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA; 2Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pavia, Italy; 3Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; 4GLSynthesis Inc., Worcester, MA, USAAbstract: 2-Phenylamino-6-oxo-9-(4-hydroxybutyl)purine (HBPG) is a thymidine kinase inhibitor that prevents encephalitic death in mice caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, although its potency is somewhat less than that of acyclovir (ACV). The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of combinations of HBPG and either ACV, phosphonoformate (PFA), or cidofovir (CDF) against HSV encephalitis. BALB/c mice were given ocular infections with HSV-1 or HSV-2, and treated twice daily intraperitoneally for five days with HBPG, alone or in combination with ACV, PFA, or CDF. Animals were observed daily for up to 30 days, and the day of death of each was recorded. All of the combinations showed additivity, and the combination of HBPG + ACV appeared to be synergistic, ie, protected more mice against HSV-1 encephalitis compared with each drug given alone. Delay of treatment with HBPG for up to two days was still effective in preventing HSV-2 encephalitis. The combination of the thymidine kinase inhibitor HBPG and the antiherpes drug ACV may have synergistic activity against HSV encephalitis. The development of a potent and safe combination therapy for the prevention and/or treatment of HSV infection of the central nervous system can improve the outcome of this infection in humans.Keywords: antivirals, herpetic encephalitis

The 1H NMR-determined structure and dynamics of a synthetic, amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide, PH-1.0 (LYQELQKLTQTLK), and several homologs were compared in 50% trifluoroethanol-d2 (TFE-d2)/H20 and in sodium dodecyl-d25 sulfate (SDS-d25) micelles. The peptides were designed to test the influence on secondary structure of placement of favored and disfavored residues relative to a "longitudinal, hydrophobic strip-of-helix" defined by the repeating leucines. PH-1.0 was highly ordered as an alpha-helix in 50% TFE-d2/H20 and in SDS-d25 micelles. Homologs PH-1.1, in which L1 was replaced by T, and PH-1,4, in which L12 was replaced by T. were found to be partially helical in both media. Calculated structures in SDS-d25 revealed that the helix of PH-1.1 was slightly disordered at the N-terminus, but that of PH-1.4 was completely disordered at the C-terminus. Examination of distributions of hydrophobic residues in protein structures revealed that, when [symbol: see text] = LIVFM and [symbol: see text] = nonLIVFM, the pattern [symbol: see text] is favored and [symbol: see text] is disfavored in alpha-helices. Several analogs of PH-1.0 incorporating these patterns were studied. Peptide PH-1.12 (LYQELQKLLQTLK) retained alpha-helical structure in both 50% TFE-d2/H20 and in SDS-d25 micelles. However, although PH-1.13 (LYQELQKLTLTLK) was fully helical in 50% TFE, it was helical only through residue 6 in SDS micelles. Two homologs containing an additional loop of the helix and repeats of favored (PH-5.0, NYLQTLLETLKTLLQK) or suppressed LL patterns (PH-5.11, NYLQTLETLKLTQK) gave similar results, i.e. the latter peptide was helical only through residue 6 in SDS micelles. The degree of local order in these SDS micelle-adsorbed peptides correlates to placement of hydrophobic residues in motifs which are favored or disfavored in proteins in general and in alpha-helices specifically.

A novel thymidine phosphoramidite synthon was synthesized and successfully used for incorporation of primary amino groups, attached through a triethylene glycol linker to the internucleoside phosphates, at desired locations during automated oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis. The synthesized amino-linker bearing oligonucleotides are stable under deprotection conditions and exhibit Watson-Crick base-pairing properties. Covalent labeling of oligonucleotides with carbocyanine near-infrared fluorochromes resulted in 2.5 times higher labeling yields when compared with oligonucleotides containing base-attached aminolinkers. We anticipate that the developed synthetic approach will be useful for nucleotide sequence-specific attachment of single or multiple ligands or reporter molecules.

Herpes B virus (B virus [BV]) is a macaque herpesvirus that is occasionally transmitted to humans where it can cause rapidly ascending encephalitis that is often fatal. To understand the low susceptibility of BV to the acyclonucleosides, we have cloned, expressed, and characterized the BV thymidine kinase (TK), an enzyme that is expected to “activate” nucleoside analogs. This enzyme is similar in sequence and properties to the TK of herpes simplex virus (HSV), i.e., it has a broad substrate range and low enantioselectivity and is sensitive to inhibitors of HSV TKs. The BV enzyme phosphorylates some modified nucleosides and acyclonucleosides and l enantiomers of thymidine and related antiherpetic analogs. However, the potent anti-HSV drugs acyclovir (ACV), ganciclovir (GCV), and 5-bromovinyldeoxyuridine were poorly or not phosphorylated by the BV enzyme under the experimental conditions. The antiviral activities of a number of marketed antiherpes drugs and experimental compounds were compared against BV strains and, for comparison, HSV type 1 (HSV-1) in Vero cell cultures. For most compounds tested, BV was found to be about as sensitive as HSV-1 was. However, BV was less sensitive to ACV and GCV than HSV-1 was. The abilities of thymidine analogs and acyclonucleosides to inhibit replication of BV in Vero cell culture were not always proportional to their substrate properties for BV TK. Our studies characterize BV TK for the first time and suggest new lead compounds, e.g., 5-ethyldeoxyuridine and pencyclovir, which may be superior to ACV or GCV as treatment for this emerging infectious disease.

Background Because guanine-based herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase inhibitors are not orally available, we synthesized various 6-deoxy prodrugs of these compounds and evaluated them with regard to solubility in water, oral bioavailability, and efficacy to prevent herpes simplex virus-1 reactivation from latency in a mouse model. Methods Organic synthesis was used to prepare compounds, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to analyze hydrolytic conversion, Mass Spectrometry (MS) to measure oral bioavailability, and mouse latent infection and induced reactivation to evaluate the efficacy of a specific prodrug. Results Aqueous solubilities of prodrugs were improved, oxidation of prodrugs by animal cytosols occurred in vitro, and oral absorption of the optimal prodrug sacrovir™ (6-deoxy- mCF3PG) in the presence of the aqueous adjuvant Soluplus® and conversion to active compound N2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)pheny])guanine ( mCF3PG) were accomplished in mice. Treatment of herpes simplex virus-1 latent mice with sacrovir™ in 1% Soluplus in drinking water significantly suppressed herpes simplex virus-1 reactivation and viral genomic replication. Conclusions Ad libitum oral delivery of sacrovir™ was effective in suppressing herpes simplex virus-1 reactivation in ocularly infected latent mice as measured by the numbers of mice shedding infectious virus at the ocular surface, numbers of trigeminal ganglia positive for infectious virus, number of corneas that had detectable infectious virus, and herpes simplex virus-1 genome copy numbers in trigeminal ganglia following reactivation. These results demonstrate the statistically significant effect of the prodrug on suppressing herpes simplex virus-1 reactivation in vivo.

Introduction This paper describes a novel technique, Fluorosomes, applied to investigating the interaction of antimicrobials with proton driven microbial efflux transporters. These transporters remove toxic compounds from the cytoplasm, including antibiotics and are involved in antibiotic resistance. Methods To assess transporter activity we developed a methodology to generate a proton gradient across Fluorosome membranes into which selected purified fully active efflux transporters were reconstituted. The interior of the Fluorosome particle (a unilamellar liposome) contains a fluorescent drug sensing probe whose fluorescence is quantitatively quenched by transporter substrates. Using an injecting fluorescence plate reader to initiate a proton gradient and to monitor subsequent fluorescence change, real time transport kinetics can be followed and transport inhibition characterized. Results Fluorosomes containing the Escherichia coli EmrE efflux pump demonstrated transport of two known EmrE substrates, ethidium and methyl viologen upon creation of a proton gradient. For Fluorosomes containing the inactive EmrE mutant, E14Q, no transport was observed. When the gradient was fully collapsed by the addition of nigericin, full inhibition of substrate transport was observed. The IC50 for nigericin inhibition of ethidium was shown to be 0.71 μM. Discussion We have for the first time prepared and validated a single bacterial efflux pump assay, Fluorosome-trans-EmrE, that faithfully mimics properties of the transporter in vivo. It is faster than whole cell screens, simple to use, amenable to robotics, and reports on very specific targets. We have demonstrated proof of principle with EmrE and have created the first of an intended series of proton driven Fluorosomes.

Numerous 3-substituted-6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino)uracils (EMAU) have been synthesized and screened for their capacity to inhibit the replication-specific bacterial DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC) and the growth of Gram+ bacteria in culture. Direct alkylation of 2-methoxy-6-amino-4-pyrimidone produced the N3-substituted derivatives, which were separated from the byproduct 4-alkoxy analogues. The N3-substituted derivatives were heated with a mixture of 3-ethyl-4-methylaniline and its hydrochloride to effect displacement of the 6-amino group and simultaneous demethylation of the 2-methoxy group to yield target compounds in good yields. Certain intermediates, e.g. the 3-(iodoalkyl) compounds, were converted to a variety of (3-substituted-alkyl)-EMAUs by displacement. Most compounds were potent competitive inhibitors of pol IIIC (K(i)s 0.02-0.5 microM), and those with neutral, moderately polar 3-substituents had potent antibacterial activity against Gram+ organisms in culture (MICs 0.125-10 microg/mL). Several compounds protected mice from lethal intraperitoneal (ip) infections with S. aureus (Smith) when given by the ip route. A water soluble derivative, 3-(4-morpholinylbutyl)-EMAU hydrochloride, given subcutaneously, prolonged the life of infected mice in a dose dependent manner.

Derivatives of the herpes simplex thymidine kinase inhibitor HBPG [2-phenylamino-9-(4-hydroxybutyl)-6-oxopurine] have been synthesized and tested for inhibitory activity against recombinant enzymes (TK) from herpes simplex types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2). The compounds inhibited phosphorylation of [3H]thymidine by both enzymes, but potencies differed quantitatively from those of HBPG and were generally greater for HSV-2 than HSV-1 TKs. Changes in inhibitory potency were generally consistent with the inhibitor/substrate binding site structure based on published X-ray structures of HSV-1 TK. In particular, several 9-(4-aminobutyl) analogues with bulky tertiary amino substituents were among the most potent inhibitors. Variable substrate assays showed that the most potent compound, 2-phenylamino-9-[4-(1-decahydroquinolyl)butyl]-6-oxopurine, was a competitive inhibitor, with Ki values of 0.03 and 0.005 microM against HSV-1 and HSV-2 TKs, respectively. The parent compound HBPG was uniquely active in viral infection models in mice, both against ocular HSV-2 reactivation and against HSV-1 and HSV-2 encephalitis. In assays lacking [3H]thymidine, HBPG was found to be an efficient substrate for the enzymes. The ability of the TKs to phosphorylate HBPG may relate to its antiherpetic activity in vivo.

Certain substituted 6-anilinouracils are potent and selective inhibitors of Gram+ bacterial DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC). In addition, analogues with 3-substituents in the uracil ring have potent antibacterial activity against Gram+ organisms in culture. In an attempt to find optimal anilino substituents for pol IIIC binding and optimal 3-substituents for antibacterial activity, we have prepared several series of 3-substituted-6-aminouracils and assayed their activity against pol IIIC from Bacillus subtilis and a panel of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria in culture. The 6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino) group and closely related substituent patterns maximized pol IIIC inhibition potency. Among a series of 3-(substituted-butyl)-6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino)uracils, basic amino substituents increased pol IIIC inhibition, but decreased antibacterial activity. The most potent antibacterials were simple hydroxybutyl and methoxybutyl derivatives, and hydrophobically substituted piperidinylbutyl derivatives.

Thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (TP/PD-ECGF) is an enzyme involved in thymidine metabolism and homeostasis, and its catalytic activity appears to play an important role in angiogenesis. Here we describe the cloning and expression of a His-tagged human TP/PD-ECGF and its assay with uracil and thymine analogues. We present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 6-(phenylalkylamino)uracil derivatives which, at micromolar concentrations, inhibit both catabolic and anabolic reactions of human TP in vitro. These base analogues are not converted by the enzyme into the nucleoside form, thus representing pure nonsubstrate inhibitors of the enzyme.

A novel and convenient method for nucleoside triphosphate synthesis was applied to the preparation of potentially nonhydrolyzable xanthosine triphosphate derivatives. The N-methylimidazolide of xanthosine 5'-monophosphate reacted rapidly with methylenediphosphonic acid and imidodiphosphonic acid to give xanthosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate and xanthosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate, respectively, in good yields. Both compounds inhibited the xanthosine-diphosphate-dependent prenylation of a mutant of Rab5, Rab5D136N, the nucleotide specificity of which had been converted from GTP to xanthosine triphosphate. The results indicate that xanthosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate and xanthosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate bound to the mutant protein with similar affinities and were not hydrolyzed under the assay conditions. These novel derivatives may be useful tools for the study of the role of individual GTPases mutated to xanthosine triphosphate specificity in the background of other GTP-binding proteins.

N2-(p-n-Octylphenyl)-2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-triphosphate (OctPdGTP)has been synthesized chemically. OctPdGTP inhibited DNA polymerases (pol) α, δ and ∊ from calf thymus, with moderate selectivity for pol α. Mechanistic studies on pol α and bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase revealed competitive and mixed kinetics of OctPdGTP with respect to the substrate dGTP when the enzymes were assayed on activated DNA and oligo dT:poly dA, respectively. This paper is dedicated to Professor Yoshihisa Mizuno.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) encodes a heterotrimeric helicase-primase comprised of the products of three of the seven DNA replication-specific genes. Several dihalo-substituted derivatives of N 2-phenylguanines and 2-anilinoadenines weakly inhibited the intrinsic DNAdependent NTPase activity of the HSVl helicase-primase, and these compounds inhibited the DNA-unwinding activity of the enzyme. The primase activity of the enzyme was strongly inhibited by 3,4- and 3,5-dichloroanilino derivatives of adenine and 2-aminopyrimidines. These compounds and nucleoside analogs of 2-(3,5-dichloroanilino)purines inhibited viral DNA synthesis in HSV1-infected HeLa cells in culture but also inhibited cellular DNA synthesis, likely as a result of inhibition of cellular primase and/or DNA polymerases. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) encodes a heterotrimeric helicase-primase comprised of the products of the DNA replication-specific genes UL5, UL8, and UL52.I Overexpression of the products of these genes in insect cells yielded enzyme identical to that obtained from HSV1-infected CV-1 cellsa2 More recently, it has been shown that the products of the UL5 and UL52 genes form a stable subassembly of the HSVl helicaseprimase that retains all of the enzymatic activities present in the three-subunit h~loenzyme.~ The UL8 gene product has been shown to increase primase a~tivity.~ The helicase of the HSVl helicase-primase is a DNAdependent nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase) that couples ATP or GTP hydrolysis to the unwinding of double-stranded DNA.5 The primase activity synthesizes short oligoribonucleotides that can serve as primers for subsequent DNA synthesis. Therefore, the HSVl helicase-primase contains the requisite activities that place it at the viral replication fork. Because of the central role that the helicase-primase plays in HSVl replication, we sought to identify inhibitors of each associated enzyme activity. Such compounds could serve both as probes of the catalytic sites of the enzymes and as leads in the development of antiviral drugs. 6-Anilinopyrimidines and 2-anilinopurines have been found to selectively inhibit DNA polymerases of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin (reviewed in ref 6). Related N2-phenylguanines and their 2'deoxyribonucleosides are potent inhibitors of HSV thymidine kinases.' Inhibition by these analogs involves

2-Anilinopurines and 6-anilinopyrimidines bearing 3,4- or 3,5-dichloro substituents in the anilino ring inhibited virus-specific DNA synthesis by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected human embryonic lung (HEL) cells in culture. In general, active compounds had moderate to low selectivity for viral vs host cell DNA synthesis. Nucleoside and acyclonucleoside analogs of 2-(3,5-dichloroanilino)purines inhibited both HCMV and cellular DNA synthesis at similar concentrations. 2-Amino-4-chloro-6-(3,5-dichloroanilino)pyrimidine and several related compounds inhibited HCMV growth in yield reduction assays at concentrations that were nontoxic to HEL cells.

Two series of selective inhibitors of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV1,2) thymidine kinases (TK) have been developed as potential treatment of recurrent virus infections. Among compounds related to the potent base analog N 2 -[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]guanine (mCF 3 -PG), none was a more potent inhibitor than mCF 3 PG itself. Compounds related to the nucleoside N 2 -phenyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (PhdG), but with alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and related substituents at the 9-position in place of the glycosyl group of PhdG, retained significant but variable inhibitory potencies against the HSV TKs. The most potent inhibitor of HSV1 TK among 9-substituted derivatives, 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)-N 2 -phenylguanine (HBPG), was a competitive inhibitor with respect to the substrate thymidine but was not itself a substrate for the enzyme. Water solubilities and 1-octanol:water partition coefficients for the 9-substituted N 2 -phenylguanines were linearly but oppositely related to the sum of hydrophobic fragmental constants (Σf) of the 9-substituents. Four of the inhibitors were given as solutions to mice by iv and ip routes, and the time course of their plasma concentrations was determined by HPLC analysis of the parent compounds. HBPG was completely absorbed by the ip route, and the plasma concentration could be prolonged by use of suspension formulations. HBPG is a candidate for animal trials of the ability of TK inhibitors to prevent recurrent herpes virus infections

Chang H, Yanachkov IB, Dix EJ, Li YF, Barnard MR, Wright GE, Michelson AD, Frelinger AL 3rd. Modified diadenosine tetraphosphates with dual specificity for P2Y1 and P2Y12 are potent antagonists of ADP-induced platelet activation. J Thromb Haemost 2012; 10: 2573–80. Summary. Background: Diadenosine 5′,5′′′-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A), a natural compound stored in platelet dense granules, inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Ap4A inhibits the platelet ADP receptors P2Y1 and P2Y12, is a partial agonist of P2Y12, and is a full agonist of the platelet ATP-gated ion channel P2X1. Modification of the Ap4A tetraphosphate backbone enhances inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. However, the effects of these Ap4A analogs on human platelet P2Y1, P2Y12 and P2X1 are unclear. Objective: To determine the agonist and antagonist activities of diadenosine tetraphosphate analogs towards P2Y1, P2Y12, and P2X1. Methods: We synthesized the following Ap4A analogs: P1,P4-dithiotetraphosphate; P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate; P1-thio-P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate; and P1,P4-dithio-P2,P3-chloromethylenetetraphosphate. We then measured the effects of these analogs on: (i) ADP-induced platelet aggregation; (ii) P2Y1-mediated changes in cytosolic Ca2+; (iii) P2Y12-mediated changes in vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation; and (iv) P2X1-mediated entry of extracellular Ca2+.Results: Ap4A analogs with modifications in the phosphate backbone inhibited both P2Y1 and P2Y12, and showed no agonist activity towards these receptors. The dithio modification increased inhibition of P2Y1, P2Y12, and platelet aggregation, whereas the chloromethylene modification increased inhibition of P2Y12 and platelet aggregation, but decreased P2Y1 inhibition. Combining the dithio and chloromethylene modifications increased P2Y1 and P2Y12 inhibition. As compared with Ap4A, each modification decreased agonist activity towards P2X1, and the dual modification completely eliminated P2X1 agonist activity. Conclusions: As compared with Ap4A, tetraphosphate backbone analogs of Ap4A have diminished activity towards P2X1 but inhibit both P2Y1 and P2Y12 and, with greater potency, inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Thus, diadenosine tetraphosphate analogs with dual receptor selectivity may have potential as antiplatelet drugs.

Knowledge of oncogenic mutations can inspire therapeutic strategies that are synthetically lethal, affecting cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Lenalidomide is an active agent in the activated B-cell-like (ABC) subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but its mechanism of action is unknown. Lenalidomide kills ABC DLBCL cells by augmenting interferon β (IFNβ) production, owing to the oncogenic MYD88 mutations in these lymphomas. In a cereblon-dependent fashion, lenalidomide downregulates IRF4 and SPIB, transcription factors that together prevent IFNβ production by repressing IRF7 and also amplify pro-survival NF-κB signaling by transactivating CARD11. Blockade of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling using the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib also downregulates IRF4 and consequently synergizes with lenalidomide in killing ABC DLBCLs, suggesting attractive therapeutic strategies.

P-(4-n-Butylphenyl)-2'-deoxy-3,5'-cycloguanosine (cBuPdG) has been studied by one-dimensional 1H and 13C, two-dimensional TOCSY, HMQC, and HMBC, and long range selective INEPT NMR experiments. In DMF and DMSO solutions cBuPdG exists as a mixture of two isomers involved in a slow rate of interconversion which have been identified as N2 amino-imino tautomers, while in chloroform only the imino tautomer is present. It has been proved that the tautomeric form of the parent nucleoside, P-(4-n-butylphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (BuPdG), is N2 amino. The selective INEPT experiment can be used efficiently in assignment of tautomeric structures of nucleosides. P-Phenylguanines and their nucleoside derivatives show interesting and important biological properties. lg2 For example P-(4-n-butylphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine

It is known that the Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-encoded thymidine kinase (TK) co-purifies with an associated thymidylate kinase (TMPK) activity and that thymidylate (TMP) inhibits the phosphorylation of thymidine by the HSV-1 TK. Here we demonstrate that: (i) TMP phosphorylation catalysed by the viral TMPK is competitively inhibited by thymidine (TdR) with a Ki equal to its Km as substrate for the viral TK; (ii) L-thymidine (L-TdR), the enantiomer of the naturally occurring D-TdR and a substrate for the HSV-1 TK [Spadari, Maga, Focher, Ciarrocchi, Manservigi, Arcamone, Capobianco, Caruso, Colonna, Iotti and Garbesi (1992) J. Med. Chem. 35, 4214-4220], is a powerful inhibitor of the HSV-1 TMPK activity with a Ki value identical with its Km as a substrate for the viral TK; (iii) both viral TK and TMPK activities are inhibited, in a competitive way and with identical Ki values, by novel, non-substrate inhibitors of HSV-1 TK, N2-phenylguanines; (iv) L-TdR is phosphorylated to L-TMP by the viral TK, but L-TMP is not phosphorylated to L-TDP by the viral TMPK activity; and (v) L-TMP inhibits competitively and with identical potencies the phosphorylation of TdR and TMP catalysed respectively by the HSV-1 TK and TMPK activities. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that both TK and TMPK activities encoded by HSV-1 share a common active site which is very tolerant in accepting modified nucleosides, but cannot readily accommodate modified nucleoside monophosphates.

N2- (p-n-Butylphenyl)-2′-deoxyguanosine 5′ - (P1, P2-methylene)- triphosphate (BuPdGMPCH2PP) has been synthesized. Displacement of the mesyloxy group of 5′-MesBuPdG by methanediphosphonate gave 30% of BuPdGMPCH2P, but 68% of 3,5′-cycloBuPdG. Reaction of the nucleoside BuPdG with methanediphosphonate and DCC gave 62% of BuPdGMPCH2PPCH2P, which was hydrolyzed to BuPdGMPCH2P in 77% yield. The title compound was obtained by reacting the imidazolide of BuPdGMPCH2P with orthophosphate. BuPdGMPCH2PP inhibited calf thymus DNA polymerase a with Ki = 9.5 nM, a potency only fivefold weaker than that of BuPdGTP itself.

Bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase was inhibited by butylphenyl nucleotides, aphidicolin and pyrophosphate analogs, but with lower sensitivities than other members of the B family DNA polymerases. The nucleotides N2-(p-n-butylphenyl)dGTP (BuPdGTP) and 2-(p-n-butylanilino)dATP (BuAdATP) inhibited T4 DNA polymerase with competitive Ki values of 0.82 and 0.54 microM with respect to dGTP and dATP, respectively. The same compounds were more potent inhibitors in truncated assays lacking the competitor dNTP, displaying apparent Ki values of 0.001 and 0.0016 microM, respectively. BuPdGTP was a substrate for T4 DNA polymerase, and the resulting 3'-BuPdG-primer:template was bound strongly by the enzyme. Each of the non-substrate derivatives, BuPdGDP and BuPdGMPCH2PP, inhibited T4 DNA polymerase with similar potencies in both the truncated and variable competitor assays. These results indicate that BuPdGTP inhibits T4 DNA polymerase by distinct mechanisms depending upon the assay conditions. Reversible competitive inhibition predominates in the presence of dGTP, and incorporation in the absence of dGTP leads to potent inhibition by the modified primer:template. The implications of these findings for the use of these inhibitors in the study of B family DNA polymerases is discussed.

Patterns of NOE crosspeaks in two dimensional 1 H NOESY spectra of purine deoxyribonucleosides are characteristic for the β and α anomers. Certain 1 H chemical shifts are characteristic for 7 and 9 regioisomers. NOE intensities, although qualitatively consistent with interproton distance ranges in N and S conformers, are insufficient for complete conformational analysis of nucleosides.

N 2 -(3,4-Dichlorobenzyl)-7-(2-[1-morpholinyl]ethyl)guanine (MorE-DCBG, 362E) is a synthetic purine that selectively inhibits the replication-specific DNA polymerase of Clostridium difficile . MorE-DCBG and its analogs strongly inhibited the growth of a wide variety of C. difficile strains. When administered orally in a hamster model of C. difficile -specific colitis, 362E was as effective as oral vancomycin, the current agent of choice for treating severe forms of the human disease.

P 1,P2-Diimidazolyl derivatives of pyrophosphate and halomethylene-bis-phosphonates have been synthesized and characterized, and the mechanism of their formation was studied. These reagents enable synthesis of dinucleoside tetraphosphates and tetraphosphonates conveniently and in high yields.

A systematic study of 2-deoxyribonucleoside isomer distribution from the sodium salt glycosylation of substituted purines is reported. Reactions of 1-α-chloro-2-deoxy-3,5-di(p-toluyl)-erythro-pentofuranose with the sodium salts of purines in acetonitrile typically results in 9-β and 7-β regioisomers as major products in a ratio of about 4:1, results consistent with a S N 2 reaction of base anion with the 1-α chlorosugar. However, the reaction with 2,6-dibromopurine (2) gave 9-β and 9-α stereoisomers as major products in a 4:1 ratio

Patterns of NOE crosspeaks in two dimensional 1 H NOESY spectra of purine deoxyribonucleosides are characteristic for the β and α anomers. Certain 1 H chemical shifts are characteristic for 7 and 9 regioisomers. NOE intensities, although qualitatively consistent with interproton distance ranges in N and S conformers, are insufficient for complete conformational analysis of nucleosides.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships of the Hansch-type were developed to account for inhibition of thymidine kinases from Herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV1,2) by N2-phenylguanines. Derivatives with meta and/or para substituents on the phenyl ring display a wide range of overlapping, but not identical, potencies as inhibitors of the enzymes. IC50 values for 36 (HSV1) and 35 inhibitors (HSV2) were used to develop equations using hydrophobic (pi), electronic (sigma, R), and group size (MR) parameters. Equations 1 and 2 with correlation coefficients of 0.797 and 0.805, respectively, were obtained for inhibitors of the types 1 and 2 enzymes. Potencies were correlated positively with pi values of meta substituents but negatively with pi values of para substituents in the phenyl ring. Positive correlations were also obtained with the resonance parameter R of para substituents and with sigma constants of meta substituents. The most potent inhibitor of both enzymes was N2-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]guanine, although HSV2 thymidine kinase was more sensitive to certain compounds than the HSV1 enzyme.

A systematic study of 2-deoxyribonucleoside isomer distribution from the sodium salt glycosylation of substituted purines is reported. Reactions of 1-α-chloro-2-deoxy-3,5-di(p-toluyl)-erythro-pentofuranose with the sodium salts of purines in acetonitrile typically results in 9-β and 7-β regioisomers as major products in a ratio of about 4:1, results consistent with a S N 2 reaction of base anion with the 1-α chlorosugar. However, the reaction with 2,6-dibromopurine (2) gave 9-β and 9-α stereoisomers as major products in a 4:1 ratio

An 18mer oligodeoxyribonucleotide containing a N2-(p-n-butylphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (BuPdG) residue at the 3' end has been synthesized by both chemical and enzymatic methods. Chemical synthesis involved attachment of 5'-DMT-BuPdG as the 3'-H-phosphonate to uridine-controlled pore glass (CPG), followed by extension via H-phosphonate chemistry. After oxidation of the backbone, deprotection of bases, and removal from CPG, the uridine residue was removed by periodate cleavage and beta-elimination. The resulting oligomer 3'-phosphate was digested with alkaline phosphatase to give the free BuPdG-18mer. E.coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow) incorporated BuPdGTP at the 3' end of the corresponding 17mer primer annealed to a complementary 29mer template, and the properties of this product were identical to those of chemically synthesized BuPdG-18mer. E.coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow) was unable to extend the BuPdG-18mer, and the 3' to 5' exonuclease activity of the enzyme was unable to remove the modified nucleotide.

SUMMARYEntamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite and the causative agent of amoebiasis, which is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Although anti-amoebic drugs such as metronidazole, emetine, chloroquine and nitazoxanide are generally effective, there is always potential for development of drug resistance. In order to find novel targets to control E. histolytica proliferation we cloned, expressed and purified thymidine kinase (Eh-TK) and uridine-cytidine kinase (Eh-UCK) from E. histolytica. Eh-TK phosphorylates thymidine with a Km of 0·27 μm, whereas Eh-UCK phosphorylates uridine and cytidine with Km of 0·74 and 0·22 mm, respectively. For both enzymes, ATP acts as specific phosphate donor. In order to find alternative treatments of E. histolytica infection we tested numerous nucleoside analogues and related compounds as inhibitors and/or substrates of Eh-TK and Eh-UCK, and active compounds against E. histolytica in cell culture. Our results indicate that inhibitors or alternative substrates of the enzymes, although partially reducing protozoan proliferation, are reversible and not likely to become drugs against E. histolytica infections.

Diadenosine 5',5'''-P(1),P(4)- tetraphosphate (Ap(4)A) is stored in platelet dense granules, but its effects on platelet function are not well understood.We examined the effects of Ap(4)A on platelet purinergic receptors P2Y(1), P2Y(12) and P2X(1). Flow cytometry was used to measure the effects of Ap(4)A in the presence or absence of ADP on: a) P2Y(12)-mediated decrease in intraplatelet phosphorylated vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), b) P2Y(1)-mediated increase in platelet cytosolic Ca(2+), and c) P2X(1)-mediated intraplatelet entry of extracellular Ca(2+). ADP-stimulated platelet shape change (P2Y(1)-mediated) and aggregation (P2Y(1)- and P2Y(12)-mediated) were measured optically. Ap(4)A inhibited 3 microM ADP-induced: a) platelet aggregation (IC(50) 9.8+/-2.8 microM), b) P2Y(1)-mediated shape change, c) P2Y(1)-mediated increase in platelet cytosolic Ca(2+) (IC(50) 40.8+/-12.3 microM), and d) P2Y(12)-mediated decrease in VASP phosphorylation (IC(50)250 microM). In the absence of added ADP, Ap(4)A had agonist effects on platelet P2X(1) and P2Y(12), but not P2Y(1), receptors.Ap(4)A, a constituent of platelet dense granules, is a) an antagonist of platelet P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) receptors, where it inhibits the effects of ADP, and b) an agonist of platelet P2X(1) and P2Y(12) receptors.