3'-Amino-2',3'-dideoxyribonucleosides of some pyrimidines: synthesis and biological activities

3'-Amino-2',3'-dideoxyribonucleosides of thymine, uracil, and 5-iodouracil (1-3) were synthesized from the corresponding 2'-deoxyribonucleosides via the threo-3'-chloro and the erythro-3'-azido derivatives. Corresponding aminonucleosides of 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, and 5-fluorouracil (4-6) were synthesized enzymatically with 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxythymidine as the aminopentosyl donor and thymidine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.4) as the catalyst. 3'-Amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (7) was synthesized by amination of the 3'-azido precursor of 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxyuridine. The biological activity of 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine (6) was notable among this group of aminonucleosides. It had an ED50 of 10 microM against adenovirus and was not appreciably cytotoxic to mammalian cells in culture. It also had activity against some Gram-positive bacteria but not against a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. The other aminonucleosides (1-5 and 7) lacked or exhibited weak antiviral and antibacterial activities. The only compounds in this group that were appreciably toxic to mammalian cells in culture were the thymidine and deoxycytidine analogues (1 and 7).